Ten Cricketers Who Have Been Knighted
The Queen has knighted a number of cricketers for their services to the game. Some of them are legends, while others may not be as well-known. Here is a list of some cricketers who have been knighted by the Queen. They have been honored for their services to the sport and for their contributions to society. Here are some of them:
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Sir Donald George Bradman
Sir Donald George Bradman AC (1908–2001), knighted in 1949 for services to cricket, was one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He was born on 27 August 1908 in Cootamundra, New South Wales. As a child prodigy Bradman made his first-class debut at the age of 19 and quickly developed into one of Australia’s finest batsmen. In 1930 he scored a record 696 runs against England—the first ever time anyone had passed 600 runs in an innings—and became known as ‘The Don’.
He went on to play 52 Test matches during which he scored 29 centuries including one score of 334 not out. This remains an unbeaten record even today.
Sir Francis Eden Lacey
Sir Francis Eden Lacey (1859–1946), the first person to be knighted (1926) for services to cricket, or indeed any sport; these included his role as the Secretary of the MCC from 1898 to 1926. Lacey was born in Kensington and educated at Eton College. In 1883 he was elected president of the Oxford University Cricket Club and later served as captain of Surrey County Cricket Club. He was also a member of Marylebone Cricket Club’s committee from 1908–13 and its president from 1913–15.
During World War I, Lacey volunteered for military service with the Honourable Artillery Company; he later became an officer with Royal Field Artillery Regiment before retiring in 1918 with rank of lieutenant colonel.
Sir Henry Dudley Gresham
Sir Henry Dudley Gresham “Shrimp” Leveson-Gower (1873–1954), knighted in 1953 for services to cricket. He was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club committee from 1906 to 1954, serving as Secretary from 1921 to 1926, and again from 1934 until his death. He was also president in 1943 and 1947. His father, the Earl Granville (1833–1901) was an active member of the club who served as President between 1892 and 1893.
Sir Alec Victor Bedser
Alec Bedser was born in Surrey in 1918. He was a left-arm fast-medium bowler and a useful lower-order batsman. He played for Surrey from 1937 to 1955, taking 908 wickets at an average of 20.37.
He was knighted in 1996 for services to cricket and to charity. Bedser served as chairman of Surrey from 1965 to 1975, and was president from 1986 until his death in 2000.
Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell
Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell (born in Barbados; 1924–1967), knighted for services to cricket in 1964.Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell was born in Barbados on 21 June 1924 and died aged 42 on 31 January 1967. He was one of the greatest all-rounders to have played for the West Indies, captaining them to victory in the inaugural Cricket World Cup 1975.
In 1959 Worrell suffered a stroke which forced him into retirement until 1962 when he played three Tests against Australia but his form wasn’t good enough so he decided it would be best if he retired again after those matches.
Sir Everton de Courcy Weekes KCMG GCM OBE
Sir Everton de Courcy Weekes KCMG GCM OBE (born in Barbados; 1925–2020), in 1995 for services to cricket. Sir Thomas Frederick “Freddy” Grisewood (1925–2020), cricketer and umpire, was made a Knight Bachelor in the 1976 New Year Honours List for his services as an international cricket umpire. He was only 24 when he umpired his first Test match at Lord’s on 26 July 1951 between England and West Indies, where Learie Constantine scored 203 runs.
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Sir Charles Christopher Griffith, KA
Sir Charles Christopher Griffith, KA, created a Knight of St. Andrew of the Order of Barbados for services to cricket in 2017. Prior to his knighthood, Sir Charles Christopher Griffith was awarded the Companion of Honour by Her Majesty the Queen in 2007 for his contribution to cricket and service as High Commissioner for Barbados and Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He is also a recipient of several awards during this period which include: Officer who has rendered exceptional service in promoting good relations with foreign countries (1988), Commander who has rendered distinguished public service (1987), Officer who has rendered distinguished public service (1986), Commander who has rendered distinguished public service (1985) and Member who has rendered distinguished public service (1984).
Sir Charles Aubrey Smith CBE
Sir Charles Aubrey Smith CBE (1863–1948), knighted in 1944 for services to Anglo-American amity. Sir Charles Aubrey Smith was born in London and educated at St Paul’s School. He made his first-class debut while still at school, playing for Middlesex against Yorkshire at Lord’s in 1881, but it took him another three years before he established himself as a regular member of the side. In 1885 he scored his maiden century, an unbeaten 133 against Surrey at The Oval that enabled Middlesex to win by an innings.
A year later he became one of the few batsmen since WG Grace who have scored more than 1,000 runs both in the season and on their own ground when he amassed 1,068 runs including four centuries as well as taking 59 wickets with his medium pace bowling
Sir Jack Newman KBE
Sir Jack Newman KBE (1902–1996), created Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 for services to the transport industry. Sir Jack Newman was a British businessman, best known as the founder of the National Bus Company.
Sir Jack Newman was born into a Jewish family in London. He was one of eight children of Solomon and Rose Newman. His father ran a clothing business in the East End, but died when Jack was only 12. He attended St John’s Wood School and then worked as an insurance clerk before joining the road haulage firm of William Beardmore & Co., where he became managing director in 1931.
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Ian Botham
In 1990, Botham was knighted for services to cricket. In 2020, he received a life peerage, becoming Baron Botham, of Ravensworth in the County of North Yorkshire.
The same year, he became a member of the Order of Merit, an order of chivalry associated with the Commonwealth realms. He has also received two honorary doctorates from Durham University and the University of Durham.
Conclusion
Cricket has a long and storied history, with many great players being knighted over the years. But there have also been some unsung heroes who deserve recognition for their contributions to the game. As we’ve seen above, Sir Jack Newman was one such person and it’s important that we don’t forget him either.
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