Cricketers who have received UK honours

We take a look at some notable former and current cricketers who have received a knighthood, CBE, OBE or MBE British honour.

Cricketers with Knighthoods CBEs OBEs MBEs

England cricketers who have received a knighthood

The first man to receive a knighthood for services to cricket, or indeed any sport, was Francis Lacey. Knighted in 1926 (Gazette issue 33179), Lacey was most noted for his work as Secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a post which he held from 1898 to the year of his knighthood.

The latest cricketer to receive a knighthood for services to the game was Alastair Cook. The fifth highest Test run scorer of all time was knighted in 2019 (Gazette issue 62507), following his MBE in 2011 (Gazette issue 59808) and CBE in 2016 (Gazette issue 61608).

All-time cricketing greats such as Sir Jack Hobbs (Gazette issue 39863), Sir Len Hutton (Gazette issue 40787) and Sir Ian Botham (Gazette issue 58358) have also been knighted for their contribution to the sport.

Full list of English cricket personalities who have received a knighthood

There are currently twelve English cricket personalities who have been knighted for services to the game:

There are also two English cricketers who have been knighted for reasons other than for services to cricket:

  • Sir Stanley Jackson, a cricketer turned politician who was made a Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of Saint John (KStJ) in 1932 (Gazette issue 33786)
  • Sir C. Aubrey Smith, a cricketer turned actor who was knighted in 1944 for being “A leading Member of the British community in California” (Gazette issue 36544)

Notable non-British cricketers who have received a knighthood

Here are some notable former cricket players from commonwealth nations other than England who have been knighted for their services to the game:

  • Sir Don Bradman - Australia (Gazette issue 38493)
  • Sir Richard Hadlee – New Zealand (Gazette issue 52174)
  • Sir Clive Lloyd – West Indies (Gazette issue 62866)
  • Sir Garfield Sobers – West Indies (Gazette issue 46444)
  • Sir Viv Richards – West Indies, made a Knight of the Order of the National Hero in 1999 by the Antiguan government
  • Sir Curtly Ambrose – West Indies, knighted by the Antiguan government in 2014

The Lord Constantine, Learie Constantine was a former West Indian cricketer who was also knighted in 1962 (Gazette issue 42552). However, it was primarily for his work as a lawyer and politician. He had previously received an MBE (Gazette issue 37412) in 1945 and went on to be made a life peer in 1969 (Gazette issue 44740), making him the UK's first black peer.

Current England cricketers with British honours

There are currently eight cricketers who have played for England in 2019 and have received UK honours:

​*Stuart Broad was also appointed an MBE in the 2016 Birthday Honours (Gazette issue 61608).

Notable former male England cricketers with British honours

Here are some famous former male England cricketers who received British honours:

*Alec Stewart also received the MBE in 1998 (Gazette issue 55155)

**Andrew Strauss also received the MBE in 2005 (Gazette issue 57855)

Notable former female England cricketers with British honours

Here are some famous former female England cricketers who received British honours:

*Clare Connor ​also received an MBE in 2004 (Gazette issue 57315) and an OBE in 2005 (Gazette issue 57855)

**Charlotte Edwards also received an MBE in 2009 (Gazette issue 59090)

***Rachael Heyhoe also received an MBE in 1972 (Gazette issue 45678) and was ​invested as a life peer in 2011 (Gazette issue 59681)

See also

What is the difference between a CBE, OBE, MBE and a knighthood?

Footballers who have received UK honours

Find out more

Nominate someone for an honour or award (Gov)

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Publication updated

18 June 2024