One of Bermuda’s most popular cricketers was shocked when he was told he was to appear in the New Year’s Honours List.

Janeiro Tucker, known as “Mr Cup Match” for his success at the annual match, was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour — one of six Bermudians recognised in the honours list.

Mr Tucker said yesterday: “I was surprised when they called me. Totally surprised.

“I thought it was for ministers of Parliament and people like Shaun Goater. Professionals. I’m honoured.”

He added he heard about the award by a phone call on Friday, just hours before the list was announced.

Mr Tucker said: “I was wondering if they had the right person. They didn’t really explain it. They just said I was honoured on the Queen’s new year’s list.

“My family are all excited about it as well. To get this kind of recognition is really amazing.” He added: “I got into cricket because of my father and because it was a sport I liked, not to get awards and stuff like that.

“I don’t play for awards, but it is an honour.”

Mike Winfield, the chief executive of the America’s Cup Bermuda Development Authority and a part of the bid team that brought Bermuda the 2017 event, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire

Mr Winfield was surprised to receive the award, especially as more than a year had passed since the island’s successful hosting of the America’s Cup.

The veteran hotelier said: “I had a number of different thoughts and feelings at the same time when I heard the news.

“I was extremely honoured by the recognition and at the same time very grateful for the faith that had been put in me.

“I was given an opportunity to serve the country I love so much and I feel so much gratitude for all the people who have helped me along the way.”

Mr Winfield said he was honoured to receive the award, but that he was only one part of the team that made the America’s Cup a success.

He added: “I think part of this comes from my work with the America’s Cup and the success of the America’s Cup was never due to the work of just one person. It was through a whole team. I’m really accepting this as part of the ACBDA team, not just for myself.”

Other Bermudian honourees this year included former One Bermuda Alliance politician Grant Gibbons, former police officer Mark Norman, veteran journalist Meredith Ebbin, and cricket commentator Sean Tucker.

Dr Gibbons, who led Bermuda’s America’s Cup bid, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Mark Norman, who helped bring the road safety programme Project Ride to the island, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Meredith Ebbin, who writes on politics, education and social matters, was awarded a Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Sean Tucker, a radio cricket commentator who will mark 35 years in broadcasting in 2019, was also awarded a Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour.