JAMES ANDERSON snubbed a knighthood in the New Year Honours list over fears he would become a target for even more intense sledging in the Ashes.
The England cricket legend, 38, was set to be made a ‘Sir’ this year, claim The Times.
But Anderson is said to have turned down the incredible opportunity to avoid a torrent of abuse Down Under in November.
England and Australia have a long history of verbals in the fiercest of cricketing rivalries.
And a Times source revealed: “I don’t think we’d send out Jimmy Anderson to face the Australians with a knighthood.”
All 12 England players who starred in the iconic 2005 Ashes series on home soil were awarded MBEs and OBEs.
Paul Collingwood – who only played the final Test after Simon Jones’ injury – was mercilessly mocked by Shane Warne and Co in the subsequent series in 2006-07, despite going on to have a superb career for his country.
England and Australia next come to blows this winter, as Joe Root takes his men Down Under for the usual five-match Test series.
Anderson is widely expected to make the squad, despite turning 39 before the series starts.
There have been questions over whether medium-fast bowlers Anderson and partner in crime Stuart Broad have what it takes to succeed on the pace-friendly wickets of Australia.
With Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Olly Stone just three England stars able to crank their speeds up to over 90mph, Anderson may not be guaranteed a place in the team, as he would in England.
Broad recently lashed out at suggestions he and Anderson can’t perform at their best on the flat, hard wickets of Australia.
He claimed: “I think with Australia we sometimes get caught up in this: ‘You have to take 90mph or 95mph bowlers, they’ll win you it in Australia.
“But actually, in my opinion, it’s runs… you need 550 on the board.
“Let’s see how the Australian batsmen play with 550 on the board.”
Anderson fully deserves his knighthood, whenever it does come to fruition.
The swing king picked up his 600th Test wicket in 2020, becoming the first-ever pace bowler to reach the milestone.
England legend Alastair Cook was the most recent player to be awarded a knighthood, receiving his in 2019 having retired as his nation’s leading run-scorer.
Cook brought down his career with a simply magical century against India in September 2018.
Amongst people to have been awarded a knighthood in the 2021 New Year Honours list, Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton led the way for sport.
The British racer, 35, won his SEVENTH F1 title in 2020, joining Michael Schumacher atop the standings.
Hamilton also broke the German legend’s record win tally of 90 in the season just gone.
