Sky Sports presenter Ian Botham has been knighted.
England legend knighted for his services to charity and sport
Sky Sports presenter Ian Botham has been knighted in recognition of his sporting achievements and charity work.
The former England all-rounder, 51, broke records with bat and ball during his playing career, and has rarely been out of the public eye since.
On the field, he is best remembered for his heroics in the series victory against Ashes rivals Australia in 1981, when he inspired England to victory from odds of 500-1 against .
He was the first player to score 5000 runs and take 300 Test wickets and was rewarded for his efforts with an OBE in 1992.
Botham's international career ended in that same summer and he has gone on to continue his work for Leukaemia Research since - raising more than £10 million from his charity walks.
He became a
Sky Sports commentator in 1995, and has enhanced his reputation in the game through his honesty, shrewd wit and bullish opinions.
Awe-inspiring
After receiving his knighthood, Botham admitted the highlights of his career have now been surpassed.
"It's mindblowing. I've been in some situations in my life and I've had some great times, but that caps it all," he told
Sky Sports News.
"I'm very, very proud. It's the pinnacle of my life and I don't think I can top that.
"I think the '86/7 tour of Australia was my (cricketing) highlight. To beat the Australians is great, but to beat them in their own backyard is even greater when you have been written off.
"We won everything, the Ashes the one-day competition and the Perth challenge.
"But today puts that all into insignificance when you get an achievement like this."
