LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Former English cricketers Andrew Strauss (l) and Geoffrey Boycott (r) meet during The British Sports Book Awards at Lord's Cricket Ground on May 21, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Former England openers Andrew Strauss and Geoffrey Boycott are to receive Knighthoods in Theresa May's resignation honours list.

Strauss captained England from 2006-2011 which included the 2010/11 Ashes series triumph in Australia.

A legend of English cricket, Strauss played 100 Test matches at an average of 40.91 with 21 centuries for his country. He played 127 ODI games at an average of 35.63 and captained England at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Since retiring in 2012, Strauss has begun campaigning for research into rare forms of lung cancer after the death of his wife, Ruth, in 2018. This was highlighted by the first Ruth Strauss Foundation day during the Lord's Test match of this year's Ashes series.

Boycott captained England for four Test matches in the 1970s and played 127 Tests for England at an average of 47 and scoring 22 centuries during his career.

May, an avid cricket fan, has said that Boycott is one of her "cricketing heroes."

Boycott’s honour is likely to spark controversy owing to his conviction in a French court more than 20 years ago for assaulting his then-girlfriend.

The two will join the likes of Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers and most recently Sir Alastair Cook and those who have been knighted for their services to cricket.