Strauss, Cook, Flower receive royal honours

England captain Andrew Strauss and team director Andy Flower were conferred the titles OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), while opening batsman Alastair Cook was made MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list announced here on Saturday.

The recognition for the trio comes after they played a crucial role in setting up England's historic triumph in Australia last year when they won their first away Ashes in 24 years.

Cook, with 766 runs in five Tests, was the highest run-getter in the series while Strauss scored 307 runs. Flower was widely praised for managing the team.

"It is a great honour to receive this accolade. It's one of the better items of post you get through the letterbox - certainly better than a gas bill. I am very proud to receive it and, more than anything, very proud of how the team performed out there in Australia," Strauss was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Our guys really stood up under the pressure. We have achieved something, but are nowhere near the end of the road yet, and will continue to strive to improve," Strauss said. He was made MBE after England won the home Ashes in 2005.

Former England offspinner Jack Birkenshaw, who played five Tests and 490 first-class games between 1958 and 1981, was also made MBE.