Quote Originally Posted by Hot Shot Hamish. View Post
We're all allowed an opinion. I don't remember Illingworth getting a knighthood for winning out in Australia back in 1970, nor Gatting in 86. Brearley was captain of England in arguably the greatest series ever back in 1981 without receiving one. Maybe it's a case that they are dished out far more easily today.

Strauss was a very good test match player but will never be remembered as a great. And if he is accepting the glory for the world cup win, than he must also be responsible for the demise of the test team and the feeder county championship.

I truly feel sympathy for him for the tragic loss of his wife, and being left with two young sons. The foundation he has set up is a fantastic memorial, but it's only been in existence for 12 weeks. I really hope it flourishes just like Glen McGraths in Australia. As I said its just my opinion, but I don't think his cricket career warrants a knighthood, when so many better players in previous generations never received one.
If anything, I'd say Strauss' knighthood has more to with what he has done since he stopped playing - if he had retired,gone off to live with his family and barely been heard of again, then I agree that what he did while playing cricket probably doesn't merit such an honour. Then again, I don't think what Geoff Boycott did while playing the game does either. He owes his honour to his transformation into a "national treasure" on TMS, but I'm old enough to have seen the real Boycott in action. Even if he is innocent of the charge of hitting a woman, what I saw one day at Sophia Gardens in the 70s confirmed that there is at least some truth to the legions of stories out there about him being a self centred boor - telling school children to f**k off when you're asked for autograph is not behaviour you'd expect from a Knight of the Realm.