Former England skipper Alastair Cook set to be knighted on New Year's Eve

Former England skipper Alastair Cook has been given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list following his retirement from international cricket. Cook retired from the game earlier this year after the five-match series against India at home. It was a fairytale farewell as the opener slammed his 33rd Test ton to help England win the game and thrash the world number one Test side by 4-1. He, however, will continue plying his trade in first-class cricket and will play for Essex next year.

Cook was awarded an MBE in 2011 and a CBE five years later for services to the sport. He has now joined a very exclusive club of former England cricketers to receive a knighthood. Cook will now become Sir Alastair after featuring in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

“Alastair Cook has given so much to English cricket and I’m delighted that he has received this honour,” said ECB chairman Colin Graves. “It’s a fitting tribute to a man who has led with distinction on and off the pitch ever since he made his England debut.

“The statistics across that time tell the story of his special ability – as do the winners’ medals and Ashes trophies – but he is also someone who’s been a great role model for our sport. We’re very fortunate to have had Alastair in English cricket and we’re very grateful for his contributions to the game.”

Illustrious career

Alastair Cook retired from Tests as England’s most decorated batsman.  He has played more Tests, scored more runs and centuries than any of his compatriots in the history. His 147-run knock in his final innings helped him surpass Kumar Sangakkara and take the fifth spot in the all-time leading run-scorers’ list.

Cook’s rise in international cricket was one of the main reasons behind England cricket’s domination between 2009 and 2013. He was the star of two of England’s greatest series wins of the 21st century — 2010/11 Ashes Down Under and 2012/13 series win in India.

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