Former England captain advocates Knighthood for James Anderson

Andrew Strauss has advocated for James Anderson to be knighted as Anderson prepares for his 188th and final Test match at Lord's this week. Anderson, renowned as Test cricket's leading pace bowler with 700 wickets at an average of 26.52, and the most capped player in England's history, seems destined for the title "Sir Jimmy."

Strauss, who was knighted in 2019 for his contributions to charity, sport, and cricket (like his former opening partner Alastair Cook), has seen Anderson's brilliance up close. Strauss captained Anderson in 42 Tests and later worked as the ECB's director of men's cricket, witnessing Anderson's exceptional career firsthand. Despite retiring 12 years ago, Strauss recognizes Anderson's enduring excellence.

When asked about Anderson deserving a knighthood, Strauss emphatically agreed, stating, "Very much so! Any fast bowler who plays 188 Test matches deserves a knighthood."

Strauss acknowledged Anderson's recent strong performances but noted the need to plan for the future. He said that although people have often doubted Anderson, the next Ashes series feels too distant for him to participate.

"Jimmy's still bowling well, as we saw from his performances at Lancashire [for whom he took 7 for 35 last week] but there's a ticking clock there for the next Ashes, isn't there?" Strauss said. "I think 18 games until the next Ashes. And at some stage you've got to juggle the needs for the future with the needs for the present. So I can understand why they've chosen this as the right time to do that.

"One thing we know for sure is that to win in Australia, or to win any test match or any Test series, it all comes down to the quality and variety of your bowling attack. And so, to me, the next Ashes is too far away for Jimmy.

"People have written him off many times, including probably myself, but that does feel too far down the road. And so at some stage you have got to start planning for that.

Strauss expressed that Anderson's final Test would be an emotional occasion, providing an opportunity for the cricketing public to show their appreciation for his 21-year career.

"I think it's a tremendous thing that he has the opportunity here this week to feel the love, I suppose, and to get the appreciation he deserves from the cricketing public for those 21 years. It's going to be a very emotional and poignant Test match and, of course, the boots that need to be filled are immense. But I can understand why this is the right time."