THREE of the Bradford district’s most successful cricket players have been presented with a prestigious accolade at a ceremony in City Hall.
Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid and Harry Brook have all been given Honorary Freemen of The City status.
They join the ranks of JB Priestley, David Hockney and Brian Noble to be the 8th, 9th and 10th people to have made the list.
Bairstow and Rashid were selected for the accolade for England's historic ‘super over’ victory in the final of the 50-over World Cup competition against New Zealand at Lord’s in July 2019.
In recognition of that feat – England’s first World Cup crown in 12 attempts – Bradford Council’s Freemen of the City selection panel recommended in 2020 that Bairstow and Rashid should become the eighth and ninth to receive the honour.
Bairstow said: “It’s a huge honour, being one of the first 10 people to have received this and it’s a very proud moment for me and my family.
“It’s not something that’s just handed out and to be among people like Brian Noble, it shows the gravitas of the accolade.”
When accepting the award, Bairstow highlighted how he hopes to play for a couple more years and aims to inspire the next generation.
Rashid has become the first South Asian man to be awarded this honorary accolade and was proud of the achievement.
“It’s a great honour and a good achievement for myself, the people of Bradford and my family and friends.
“It’s not often that things like this come along.
“It’s massively important for me, as a role model in a sense to give back to the community, the younger generation and get them involved in sport.
“It’s showing them that anything is possible, even if you come from Bradford.”
Harry Brook, 24, who was born in Keighley and grew up in Burley-in-Wharfedale, is one of the youngest to have been awarded this accolade after he made his international debut for England in January 2022 and was part of the team that won the 2022 T20 World Cup.
It was only this May that Brook was nominated for the freedom of the city by Bradford Council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe.
He described it as a ‘huge privilege and honour’ to have been presented with this and to be one of only ten people in hundreds of years to have received it.
He said: “Having my family here has made it even better.
“There are such famous names and it’s awesome to be on the same list as them.
“We play this game to inspire generations and to entertain and I hope to see some of them at Headingley over the next days and years to come.”
At the ceremony held by the Lord Mayor Cllr Gerry Barker, the trio were praised for their efforts and achievement and for representing Bradford on the world stage.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We are so proud as a district of your achievement and as being Bradford district sons it allows us to share in your achievements.”
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