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LONDON - Australia's modern cricket stars could soon be awarded knighthoods and other prestigious titles by the British government under a plan mooted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Mr Brown has called for the revival of Britain's old honours system so outstanding sports men and women from throughout the Commonwealth can be rewarded.
The move could see Australian cricketers such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh and Allan Border follow in the footsteps of Sir Don Bradman, who was knighted in 1949.
Congratulating India on its Test win against Australia as he arrived in New Delhi today, Mr Brown said he believed Commonwealth sports stars deserved to be rewarded.
"Personally, I would like to see some of the great players of our era receive honorary awards so that the British nation can salute their achievements in one of our national sports," he said.
West Indies batsman Sir Viv Richards and New Zealand's famous all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee were among the last Commonwealth cricketers to receive honours in the 1990s.
Mr Brown is believed to be in favour of awarding a new batch of honours to cricketers including former Australia captain Steve Waugh as well as West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh and South Africa's Shaun Pollock.
- AAP
