Next month England cricketer Jimmy Anderson will become becoming the first professional player to appear naked on the cover of gay UK magazine Attitude.

There’s a perception of lots of committees and old men being quite prim and proper, but I think the game is moving with the times,” he said. “From my point of view, I think doing this could be fantastic for cricket. Hopefully this will attract a new sort of fan.”

Usually the only nudes in cricket are pitch invaders who ‘streak’ across the wicket, and Anderson admitted he will probably get “some stick” for taking part in the shoot by fashion photographer Ram Shergill.

Anderson insisted he was “more than prepared” to shed his clothes. He added: “If there are any gay cricketers, they should feel confident enough to come out, because I don’t think there is homophobia in cricket.

Attitude Editor Matthew Todd said the cricketer’s decision would send a “strong, playful signal” that sportsmen can be comfortable with homosexuality among team-mates and fans.”Jimmy is obviously completely comfortable in his own sexuality to appear naked in a gay magazine,” he said. “In fact it was his wife and her many gay friends who convinced him to do it. We’re very grateful to her.”

The October issue goes on sale on September 21 and we’ll have thje photos here shortly.

While there haven’t been many naked Chuggers maybe this will start a trend.   There have been a few though.  So tale a look below and prepare for the “pitch”!

The Hampshire Hawks, England’s current T20 champions posed naked for charity 0n n2008 for a calendar  to raise awereness and funds for Prostate Cancer

England cricketers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Alastair Cook posed for Cosmopolitan Centrefolds to raise awareness for the Everyman Campaign, the UK’s leading male cancer campaign. A marvellous effort that for a very worthy cause.