Alastair Cook set to receive knighthood in New Year’s Honours list

Alastair Cook will be recognised for his contribution to cricket by receiving a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list, according to reports.

The England opener brought the curtain down on an international career that saw him play 161 Tests, overseeing a record 59 as captain, following the fifth Test against India at the Oval.

Cook’s career finished the way it started as he marked calling time on his international career with a hundred, his 33rd in Tests. An achievement he admitted couldn’t have been a more perfect finish for him.

“I don’t know how I’ve managed it,” Cook said, after his knock of 147 in the second innings helped England to 118-run victory.

“To go out on your own terms, with your last ever innings for England a hundred. From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn’t have asked for a better week.”

“It’s just time. Time for me, time for my family. And it’s always nice to leave people wanting a little bit more, rather than people kicking you out.”

In being knighted, the Essex left-hander would become the first English cricketer to receive the honour since Ian Botham in 2007.

It would cap Cook’s contribution to England’s history where record after record stands by his name, including most runs, most hundreds, and most Test appearances.

In a five-year period as captain, Cook opened the bat for England in two Ashes victories. He most prolific form coming in the 2010-2011 series Down Under, where 766 runs helped England to a 3-1 series win.