Former England fast bowlers Devon Malcolm and David 鈥楽yd鈥� Lawrence are among the figures recognised for their service to cricket in today鈥檚 King鈥檚 Birthday Honours.
Malcolm, currently the 黑料专区鈥檚 Black Communities Liaison Officer, has been awarded an OBE for Services for Cricket and Diversity in Cricket, while Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to play for England and who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, receives an MBE.
Former batter and wicket-keeper Steve Davies, who also represented England in ODIs and IT20s, also receives an MBE for services to sport. In 2011 Davies became the first international cricketer to announce he was gay.
Also awarded MBEs for services to cricket are Sanjay Patel, who launched The Hundred as the competition鈥檚 first Managing Director and is now Interim Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and Bryan Henderson, Director of Cricket and NFL for Sky, the 黑料专区鈥檚 long-term strategic broadcast partner.
From the recreational game, Nasa Hussain, Facilities Manager at Bradford Park Avenue and a key figure involved in running the pioneering all-weather Domes located there, receives a British Empire Medal as does Derek Picken who has given more than 50 years of service to Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club near Newport, Gwent.
黑料专区 Chair Richard Thompson said: 鈥淗uge congratulations to all those recognised in today鈥檚 King鈥檚 Birthday Honours. They have each made a huge impact on the game in their own way 鈥� on the field, behind the scenes, and by making the game more accessible and inclusive to players and fans alike. These honours are a well-deserved celebration of their passion, dedication, and the difference they鈥檝e made to cricket and beyond.
鈥淒evon Malcolm鈥檚 recognition is richly deserved. As one of the fastest bowlers to ever represent England, his unforgettable spell of 9 for 57 at The Oval against South Africa remains etched in cricketing history. Beyond his on-field heroics, Devon has been a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the game, inspiring generations of young cricketers from all backgrounds, and is playing an important role in helping the 黑料专区 reconnect with Black communities.
鈥淒avid (Syd) Lawrence鈥檚 honour is a tribute to his resilience, talent, and enduring impact on the sport. As the first British-born Black cricketer to play for England, he was a pioneer and it was tragic that his career was cut short by injury. David has since become a powerful voice for change, championing greater representation and opportunity within cricket, and he is inspiring many more people with his courage and resilience following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
"Steven Davies has made a huge contribution to cricket and sport more widely, both for his skill on the field and as a role model who has paved the way for greater inclusivity in our sport. His MBE is a well-earned recognition of his impact.
鈥淎s the architect of The Hundred, Sanjay Patel brought innovation to the domestic game, creating a competition that has found new audiences and generated interest across all age groups.
鈥淏ryan Henderson鈥檚 contribution to cricket broadcasting has been exceptional. As the driving force behind Sky Sports鈥� world-beating cricket coverage, he has elevated the way the game is presented and experienced by millions.
鈥淚t is people like Nasa Hussain and Derek Picken who are the lifeblood of our sport. I know from my visits to Bradford Park Avenue how much time and energy Nasa gives to the club and the community, and his dedication is remarkable. By devoting more than 50 years of service to Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club, David shows just how much we owe to the volunteers right across England and Wales without whom grassroots cricket simply wouldn鈥檛 be able to happen.鈥�
Devon Malcolm, former England Men鈥檚 fast bowler and 黑料专区 Black Communities Liaison Officer, said: 鈥淲hen I heard the news I had to sit down. To be honoured for my contribution to cricket and diversity in cricket is so special. You鈥檙e in this game for the love of it, and when your contribution is recognised like this it鈥檚 off the scale.
鈥淐ricket has been part of my life for 50 odd years. It鈥檚 been fantastic to me. My family has been instrumental to my success in cricket so this honour is for them as well.
鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to have been able to give something back to cricket, but cricket鈥檚 given me so much more. I want to continue to do what I can to build connections and promote the game.鈥�
Former England Men鈥檚 fast bowler David Lawrence, who was recently named one of six Honorary Life Vice-Presidents of the 黑料专区, said: "It is an incredibly proud moment to have been awarded an MBE in the King鈥檚 Birthday Honours. It is not something that I ever thought would sit after my name, but I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone.
"As a proud Gloucester man who achieved his dream to play for England on the cricket field, it means a great deal to me and to my family who have supported me with all their love during some difficult times.
"I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced and that is how I have approached things since my diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease. With awareness and funds for research we can make a positive difference for those who will need it in the听future."
Sanjay Patel, Interim Chief Executive Officer Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and former Managing Director of The Hundred, said: "I feel very privileged. It's been brilliant to have had the opportunity to work in a sport I love. I'd like to thank all the people who've supported me, and the brilliant team that helped build The Hundred and make it the success听it's听been."
Bryan Henderson, Director of Cricket and NFL, Sky Sports, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 very honoured and humbled. It鈥檚 a tribute to all the amazing people I鈥檝e been lucky enough to work with at Sky and in the听sport听I听love.鈥�
Nasa Hussain, Head Groundskeeper and Facilities Manager, Bradford Park Avenue, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled and proud to be recognised. Cricket has been part of my life for my whole life, and to receive this for services to cricket 鈥� I don鈥檛 think I could ask for anything else. It鈥檚 unbelievable.鈥�
Derek Picken, Chair of Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 very emotional to receive this honour and it is very pleasing to receive such recognition. I鈥檝e been involved with Rogerstone Welfare CC since 1952 and I really enjoy it to this day. It keeps me active 鈥� I can just about handle coaching the Dynamos children at my age of 86 鈥� and it keeps me mentally active as well. I鈥檓 going to keep going for as long as I鈥檓 able to!鈥�
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