England paceman James Anderson has spoken of his pride after receiving his OBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace today.
The 33-year-old Lancastrian was awarded the honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last July having become England’s leading Test wicket-taker.
Anderson, after collecting his OBE during an investiture ceremony at the Palace, said: “Obviously I’ve played for England for over 10 years and to be recognised for that is really special for me and a huge honour for myself and my family.”
He then became only the 12th bowler in the history of the game to reach 400 Test wickets later that summer, against New Zealand at Headingley in the same match Alastair Cook became England’s leading run-scorer.
“It was a real surreal moment for me,” Anderson said. “Obviously Sir Ian Botham is someone I’ve looked up to as a child growing up – and to pass him, it still hasn’t sunk in yet.
“Again, I’m just lucky I’ve managed to play the game long enough to be able to overtake him and contribute to English cricket as I have.”
The honour caps off a fine year for Anderson after he helped England regain the Ashes and then topple South Africa, the then number-one ranked Test side, in their own back yard.
England’s cricket in all formats has been revitalised since the arrival of Australian Trevor Bayliss as Head Coach.
“We’ve got an exciting team at the moment,” Anderson added.
“Obviously some young guys have come in during the last 12 months, a bit of a transitional phase for us, and I think when that happens the results aren’t always going to be consistent but I think we’re moving in the right direction.
“The new coach Trevor Bayliss has been brilliant in helping the younger guys settle into the team and perform at their best.”
Source: ECB