England's greatest modern all-rounder — his unbeaten 135 at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes is considered the finest innings in Test history. Scored the runs that won the 2019 World Cup final in a super over at Lord's, became England's Test captain and pioneered the aggressive Bazball philosophy that transformed English cricket. Born in New Zealand, raised in Cumbria, and knighted for services to the sport.
Benjamin Andrew Stokes was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1991, grew up in England and became the greatest English all-rounder of the modern era and, under his captaincy from 2022, the architect of an aggressive Test batting philosophy known as Bazball that transformed England's cricketing identity. His Test record: 6,500+ runs at 36.0 with 12 centuries and 195 wickets at 31.5 across 105 matches. He plays for Durham domestically and has represented Canterbury, the Melbourne Renegades and Rajasthan Royals internationally. His 135 not out at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes — coming in at 286 for 9 chasing 359 and winning the match with a six off the final ball — is considered the greatest Test innings in England's history. His 84 not out in the 2019 World Cup final at Lord's — followed by a tied Super Over — helped England win his first-ever World Cup. He won Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World in 2019, 2022 and 2023. He was awarded the OBE in 2020 and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2019. As England Test captain from 2022, his aggressive declaration policy and positive batting approach produced some of the most entertaining Test cricket in the sport's history.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (England)
His unbeaten 135 in the 2019 World Cup final is considered the greatest innings ever played in the history of the competition.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- 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