Former England cricket captain Alastair Cook received his knighthood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Essex player is England’s all-time leading run-scorer and most-capped player. He retired from international cricket last summer, hitting a century in his final Test, against India at The Oval.
Sir Alastair receivied the honour for services to cricket.
Meanwhile, ex-England rugby skipper Bill Beaumont, who is World Rugby chairman, was also knighted.
Irish rugby great Willie John McBride - the most decorated player in British and Irish Lions history - collected a CBE for services to rugby.
Champion jockey Richard Johnson, who has ridden more than 3,500 winners during a 25-year career, was given an OBE for services to horse racing.
Expert diver John Volanthen, who helped to save a Thai youth football team trapped in a flooded cave, received the George Medal, the second highest civilian gallantry award.
