ENGLAND’S cricket captain Alastair Cook has received his CBE from the Prince of Wales.

The Essex cricketer, originally from Maldon, said: “This is a very special moment not just for me obviously but my family and friends - it’s a very proud moment to be awarded this, very special.”

The 32-year-old, after a chat with Prince Charles, revealed: “We spoke a little bit about the cricket, a little bit about the farming, and he wished me good luck.

“We’re about to start lambing so we’ll get busy now but unfortunately work and training has to come first, but if I have any spare moments I try and help out.”

He runs a farm near Leighton Buzzard.

Cook made his England Test debut aged just 21 in India during 2006, and promptly scored a century in his second innings at Nagpur.

In May last year Cook took his tally past 10,000 runs and became the youngest player to do so.

He is currently rumoured to be considering stepping down as captain.