Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad awarded during Queen's birthday honours

England’s Test captain Alastair Cook and fast bowler Stuart Broad were included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The 31 year old skipper was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) having earlier received a MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Broad meanwhile was awarded an MBE. Both cricketers received their honours for their outstanding contribution to the national cricket team.

This week has been special for Cook having earlier eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest batsman in history to reach 10,000 Test runs. He is also the first Englishman to scale the feat.

“Receiving this kind of honour means a great deal to me and it’s also a hugely proud moment for me and my family,” Cook said on Friday (June 10). “I also see this as recognition for my team-mates, my coaches and family and friends who have all helped me in my England career over the last ten years – and, of course, the England fans who have always given me such fantastic support at home and abroad.”

Also read – New Zealand is not a safe place for international cricketers: Franklyn Rose

Broad, ranked No.3 in International Cricket Council’s Test ratings for bowlers, dedicated his honour to all the people that helped shape his career.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be recognised in this way. I’m obviously delighted and very proud. 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,” he said.

Terming Cook a “true great of the game” and Broad “one of England’s finest ever fast bowlers”, Colin Graves, the ECB chairman heaped praise on the duo, saying it was a tremendous honour for the two players to receive such awards.

Also read – Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Vijay Mohanraj apply for India job

“It’s great to see our England players win national recognition and this is a tremendous honour for both players,” Graves said. “Alastair’s cricketing achievements now place him among the true greats of the game and he can be very proud of what he has given to the England team over the past decade – both as a world-class opening batsman and a highly successful England captain.

“Stuart is rightly renowned as one of England’s finest ever fast bowlers and his new-ball partnership with James Anderson has been an integral part of the England Test side’s recent successes. Today’s award also caps off a wonderful for year for Stuart in which he produced career-defining spells of fast bowling at Trent Bridge and Johannesburg which will live long in the memory of all England fans. Our congratulations to Stuart on an honour which will mean a huge amount to him and his family.”