James Anderson Receives Knighthood at Windsor Castle Ceremony

Legendary England fast bowler James Anderson was officially knighted on Tuesday during a ceremony at Windsor Castle, receiving the honour from Princess Anne in recognition of his remarkable contributions to cricket.

Anderson, 43, was included in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list in April 2025 for his services to the sport. The accolade follows the conclusion of an illustrious 21-year international career, which ended at Lord’s in July 2024.

A Record-Breaking Career

Anderson retired as England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, with 704 Test wickets — the most by any pace bowler in cricket history. He trails only spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) on the all-time list.

In One-Day Internationals, he claimed 269 wickets, a record that still stands for England despite having last played white-ball cricket in 2015.

Across two decades, Anderson became the cornerstone of England’s bowling attack, renowned for his mastery of swing and seam, particularly in home conditions. His partnership with Stuart Broad was among the most successful in Test history, helping England to multiple Ashes triumphs.

Continuing His Passion for the Game

Following his retirement from international cricket, Anderson continued to represent Lancashire in the 2024 county season. He even made a successful return to T20 cricket after more than a decade, helping Lancashire reach Finals Day at Edgbaston.

He also featured as a wildcard signing for Manchester Originals in The Hundred and remains in discussions to extend his county career into the 2025 season.

A Fitting Honour

Tuesday’s ceremony marked the formal recognition of one of England’s greatest-ever cricketers. Known for his quiet professionalism and longevity, Anderson’s knighthood cements his status not just as a sporting icon but as a national treasure.

He joins an elite group of English cricketers to receive the honour, following in the footsteps of Sir Alastair Cook, Sir Ian Botham, and Sir Andrew Strauss.