Stewart awarded OBE in Queen's Honours List

Alec Stewart has followed in his father's illustrious footsteps by being awarded an OBE for his services to cricket in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List.

Stewart passed Geoffrey Boycott and David Gower to move into second place in England's list of Test run-scorers against Zimbabwe at Durham last week, and was also awarded the MBE in the 1998.

On receiving the honour, Stewart said: "The great thing is that I've now managed to catch up my Dad because he was awarded the OBE a good few years ago."

"It's a terrific honour and it's really pleasing to be recognised in this way. I've always gone about my cricket in a professional way and to be honoured in this way for it makes me very proud and it's a moment I'll treasure."

Stewart, now 40, has continued to defy his critics by making more appearances than any other England player at both Test and one-day level, and his ability with the bat and behind the stumps has stood the test of time since making his international debut 14 years ago.

He retired from one-day international cricket after the World Cup, but has no plans to do the same in Tests. He recently said: "All I've ever said about the future is that while the enjoyment is there and I feel I'm playing well enough to warrant a place in the side, I see no reason to give it away myself."

"I feel exactly the same as I did 20 years ago. I have the same buzz and pre-match nerves I've always had and that's a good thing because that shows you're still up for the game."