Cook knighted

Former England captain Alastair Cook headlined sporting personalities in the New Years Honours List receiving knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

Cook -- who has more Test centuries (33) and runs (12,472) during a record 161 Test matches -- is the first cricketer to be knighted since legendary all-rounder Ian Botham in 2007.

He finished his Test career in the best possible manner with a century against India at The Oval despite having declared there "was nothing left in the tank".

"It's a fitting tribute to a man who has led with distinction on and off the pitch every since he made his England debut," England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves said.