Ben Stokes

English all-rounder cricketer known for match-winning performances including 2019 World Cup final and Headingley Ashes Test heroics

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1991, Benjamin Andrew Stokes moved to England as a child when his father Gerard, a former rugby league international, relocated the family to Cockermouth in Cumbria. Stokes developed his cricket through the Cumbrian youth system before joining Durham's academy, making his first-class debut in 2009 at age 18. His international breakthrough came in 2011 when he was selected for England's ODI squad, followed by his Test debut against Australia in 2013. Stokes established himself as England's premier all-rounder during the mid-2010s, combining explosive batting with effective seam bowling. His career reached unprecedented heights in 2019, delivering two of the most memorable performances in cricket history within months of each other. At Headingley during the third Ashes Test, he produced an unbeaten 135 to guide England from 286-9 chasing 359, securing victory with a six off the final ball in what many consider the greatest Test innings by an English batsman. Weeks later, his unbeaten 84 in the World Cup final at Lord's, followed by England's Super Over victory, helped secure the nation's first-ever Cricket World Cup. Appointed Test captain in 2022 following Joe Root's resignation, Stokes transformed England's approach with an ultra-aggressive philosophy dubbed "Bazball" alongside coach Brendon McCullum. His bold declarations and positive batting mandates revolutionized England's Test cricket, producing some of the format's most entertaining matches. Across 105 Test matches, he has scored over 6,500 runs at an average exceeding 36 with 12 centuries, while taking 195 wickets. Stokes' impact extends beyond statistics. His match-winning performances in cricket's biggest moments, combined with his captaincy revolution, have redefined England's cricketing identity. Winner of Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World three times and recipient of the OBE, he represents the modern cricket superstar who transcends traditional boundaries between batting and bowling excellence.

Aggressive left-handed batsman, medium-fast bowler, exceptional fielder

Transformational all-rounder who redefined what's possible in pressure situations

• ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (England)
• ICC Test Championship 2023 (England)
• Ashes 2019 Headingley winner
• Wisden Leading Cricketer in World 2019, 2022, 2023
• BBC Sports Personality of Year 2019
• OBE 2020
• ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
• ICC World Test Championship 2023
• Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2019, 2022, 2023
• BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019