James Anderson
James Anderson (Credits: Twitter)

England fast bowler James Anderson has said he is aware of the ‘unusual story’ behind him missing out from being knighted in the New Years’ honors list.

A report in Sunday Times is doing rounds, claiming that England decided to not confer James Anderson with knighthood since it might lead to the Australian players sledging him in the Ashes series Down Under next winter.

James Anderson
James Anderson (Credits: Twitter)

Notably, the reason behind England’s reluctance stems from past experiences. Back in 2006/07, former Australian leg-spinner had sledged Paul Collingwood, who had received as MBE for being a paq+rt of the 2005 Ashes-winning team.

However, James Anderson, who is set to embark on his 5th Ashes tour Down Under, said that he will pretty get much his fair share of the barrage from the Australians anyway.

“I did see that. I thought it was a pretty unusual story. I’ve not heard anything like that,” James Anderson said on Monday.

“And I’m sure it won’t stop them sledging me anyway, to be honest. I pretty much get a big barrage when I go there anyway. I’m looking forward to that with or without that,” he added.

Anderson, who became the first seamer to claim 600 Test wickets, is currently in Sri Lanka where he will take part in the two-match Test series, starting on January 14th in Galle.

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