Alastair Cook to receive knighthood in New Year's Honours list

The Times says the former England captain, who retired from international duty in the summer at the end of a distinguished 12-year career, is to become a 'Sir'

Alastair Cook is to receive a knighthood for services to cricket in the New Year's Honours list, according to reports.

The Times says the former England captain, who retired from international duty in the summer at the end of a distinguished 12-year career, is to become a 'Sir'.

The national side's highest ever Test runscorer, who holds the world record for the most consecutive appearances for his country in the format, would become the first cricketing knight of the realm since Sir Ian Botham received the honour in 2007.

He would also be only the 10th of all time and the first to still be playing county cricket at the time - Cook recently signed a new contract to represent Essex for the next three seasons.

ENGLAND'S CRICKETING KNIGHTS

Francis Lacey, Pelham Warner, Jack Hobbs, Henry Leveson-Gower, Len Hutton, Gubby Allen, Colin Cowdrey, Alec Bedser, Ian Botham

Cook was made a CBE two years ago. His farewell century against India at The Oval in September was nominated as one of five 'Moments of the Year' at the BBC Sports Personality Awards last week.

Metro reported in November that a motion had been tabled in the House of Lords to give the 33-year-old a knighthood.

Right Hon Lord Andrew Tyrie was said to have asked a Parliamentary question proposing Cook.

"It is not just that Alastair Cook is unquestionably the best batsman England have produced in recent years but that he can make a massive contribution as an ambassador for cricket at home and abroad," Lord Tyrie was quoted as saying at the time.

"Nobody could be more deserving."