James Anderson Unaware Of ‘Unusual Story’ Going Around For Adjudging Him Knighthood

Jan 5, 2021 at 2:06 PM

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James Anderson Unaware Of ‘Unusual Story’ Going Around For Adjudging Him Knighthood

England’s current most experienced pacer James Anderson has responded to the speculations going around for him being not conferred with a knighthood at New Year’s Honours.

According to the English newspaper Sunday Times, England have decided not to adjudged him with the prestigious honour because it might lead to Australia sledging the fast bowler during their trip Down Under for this year’s Ashes.

The reason for England’s unwillingness has been because of a past incident:

Shane Warne and Paul Collingwood. Image Credit: Getty Images.

During the 2006-2007 Ashes series, Australia‘s prominent bowler Shane Warne had brutally sledged Paul Collingwood after he was awarded by the Queen with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire after defeating Australia 2-1 in the Ashes 2005. Notably, Paul Collingwood didn’t have a major contribution in that Ashes win, which was also his maiden Test series against Australia.

He had played only the last Test match of the Ashes 2005 where he scored 7 and 10 across the two innings. And, the former Aussie leggie trolled him for that throughout the next Ashes which resulted in his poor outing.

Thus, England are wary that Anderson might not have to go through this.

I’m sure it won’t stop them sledging me: James Anderson

James Anderson
James Anderson celebrating his 600 Test wicket. Image Credit: Getty Images.

When James Anderson was asked about the media claiming the aforementioned reason for him being not given the knight. The pacer said that it was a pretty ‘unusual story’.

James Anderson believes that he would be at receiving end from Australia irrespective of whether he is a knight or not during his trip.

“I did see that. I thought it was a pretty unusual story. I’ve not heard anything like that,” Anderson said on Monday.

“And I’m sure it won’t stop them sledging me anyway, to be honest. I pretty much get a big barrage when I go there anyway. I’m looking forward to that with or without that.”

Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook are the most recent England cricketers to be knighted but both of them were conferred with the honour after their retirements.

Currently, James Anderson along with his England team have arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday on a chartered plane for their 2-Test series, starting January 14.

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