TIL Desk Sports/ England sporting captains past and present, Alan Shearer and Alastair Cook head the sports stars to receive honours in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honours list. Shearer, former skipper of the national football side, and present cricket captain Cook are both made Commanders of the British Empire (CBE).
Several notable female sporting personalities also feature including Martine Wiltshire, the sitting volleyball player and Paralympian who lost her legs in the 7/7 London bombings, for her services to sport. Shearer, who is now a respected pundit, gets his recognition for his charitable services to the community in North East England.
Cook is made a CBE for his services to cricket. Last month he became, at 31 years and 157 days, the youngest player and first English batsman to reach the landmark of 10,000 Test runs. Both Shearer and Cook have already been honoured with the former receiving an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 and the latter a Member of the British Empire (MBE) following his sterling performances in the Ashes victory over Australia in 2010/11.
“Receiving this kind of honour means a great deal to me and it’s also a hugely proud moment for me and my family,” said Cook, who is presently leading England in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. Cook’s team-mate, former world number one ranked bowler Stuart Broad is also honoured with an MBE. “I’m obviously delighted and very proud,” said Broad. “It is a lovely moment for my family too.”
“My parents will be delighted after guiding me into cricket and instilling me with a love of the game from an early age,” added the 29-year-old whose father Chris is a former England opening batsman. The Queen made Saturday a double cause for celebration for Welsh rugby union refereeing great Nigel Owens as he receives an MBE.
