Knighthood is one of the highest honors given in recognition of an individual’s contribution to a particular field.
As far as cricket is concerned, as many as 29 cricketers have received the honorary recognition for their contribution towards the game. The list of cricketers who have been knighted includes Donald Bradman [1949], Richard Hadlee [1990], Jack Hobbs [1953], Len Hutton [1956], Viv Richards [1999], Everton Weekes [1995], Clyde Walcott [1993], Gary Sobers [1975] and many others.
The following list, however, includes only those cricketers, who have been knighted since the turn of the century.
Here’s a look:
Ian Botham- 2007
One of the greatest all-rounders and possibly the greatest ever English cricketer to have ever graced this beautiful game, Ian Botham was knighted back in 2007 for his contribution towards cricket and charity, in which he raised millions of pounds for leukemia research.
Botham’s finest hour in International cricket will always be his exploits in the 1981 Ashe where he starred with both bat and ball to help England script a renaissance for the ages.
Botham featured in 102 Tests for England, in which he racked up 5200 runs at an average of 33.54 and 383 wickets- the then world record for the most Test wickets- at an average of 28.4.
