Cricket story by Brian Watters, Sun, 01 Jan 2006 09:36:01 GMT


LONDON - England captain Michael Vaughan and Coach Duncan Fletcher were honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE), while every member of the England team which won the Ashes against Australia in the summer was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE)in the Queen's annual New Year honors list released here on Saturday.

"It was a great team effort and I'm really pleased all the players have been honoured," Michael Vaughan said of the award. England's Ashes-winning women's team was also not left behind as captain Clare Connor was commended with an OBE.

"Hopefully the success we've had and the men have had will inspire young boys and girls to take the game up," Connor said. Andrew Flintoff, who was also crowned as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year said it was a great honor to be an MBE, "I am pleased the whole team have got one because throughout the Ashes there was somebody different contributing at different times - it was a team effort," he said.

"But to win the Ashes and get an MBE for doing it is unbelievable." Simon Jones, who missed the last Ashes test said the award was a huge lift, "It's been a frustrating few months for me but to become an MBE is unbelievable," he observed.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney was also honored with an OBE. "I thought the players quite rightly would be honoured in some way, but for me to also be honoured is amazing," he said. "You obviously don't do the job for honours, but it's been an extraordinary year in everybody's life and it just shows what an impact beating Australia has had on everyone."

Phil Neale, the team's operations manager received an OBE, while Medha Laud, administration manager of international teams became a MBE.

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