Ben Stokes - Stats, Career | Greatest All Rounder in Modern Cricket

An all-rounder in cricket is the tireless powerhouse of a cricket team, often emerging as the invaluable trump card. They can bat like an expert batsman, bowl like a frontline bowler and are also very good fielders. And one of the best players that fits the definition of a complete all rounder is the Englishman, Ben Stokes. Benjamin Andrew Stokes, aka Stokesy, is England’s current Test captain and probably one of the best all rounders in cricket history. A Left handed batter and right arm fast medium pacer, he is known for his bold style of playing. Not just an invaluable rock in the England Cricket Team, he is also one of their most clutch players, performing extremely well when his team needs him the most, both with the bat and the ball. 

So, in this article by ZAP, let’s know more about Ben Stokes, his career, his stats and records and his best performances.

Ben Stokes - Early Life, Age and Domestic Cricket Career

Ben Stokes was born on June 4, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand. At age 12, he moved to England when his father, Gerard Stokes, took a coaching job. The family settled in Cockermouth, Cumbria, where Ben attended school and played cricket for the local club.

Stokes began his professional career with Durham in 2009, debuting in List A cricket and quickly making an impact. In 2010, he participated in the Under-19 World Cup and made his first-class debut, scoring a century against Nottinghamshire. He joined the England Performance Programme and traveled to Australia for the 2010-11 Ashes. Stokes was pivotal in Durham's 2013 County Championship win and excelled in the 2014 Royal London One-Day Cup Final. He played for the Melbourne Renegades in 2015 and became vice-captain of England's Test team in 2017.

Ben Stokes - International Career Debut, Stats and Records

Ben Stokes made his England Cricket Team debut in an ODI against Ireland in August 2011, scoring three runs and taking a catch. In the 2013-14 Ashes, he made his Test debut, scoring his first century and finishing as England's third-highest run scorer and second-highest wicket-taker. During the 2015-16 South Africa tour, Stokes scored a career-best 258 runs, the second-fastest double century in Test history, and set a sixth-wicket partnership record with Jonny Bairstow. In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he was crucial in England's win, with standout performances including an unbeaten 84 runs in the final. In the 2019 Ashes, he scored an unbeaten 135 in a record chase at Headingley, helping England draw the series 2-2. In the 2022 T20 World Cup final, Stokes scored an unbeaten 52 runs to help England win. He holds records for the second-fastest Test double century and the highest sixth-wicket partnership, was named in the ICC World Test XI and ODI XI for 2016, ICC Player of the Year in 2019, and became England's Test captain in 2022, introducing the dynamic "Bazball" style. 

Ben was awarded Wisdem Leading Cricketer of the year in 2019, 2020 and 2022. He was also awarded with ICC Best Men’s cricketer and Freedom of the Borough of Allerdale Award in 2019.

Stokes was recognised as the BBC sports personality of the year award in 2019. Later in 2020, he was appointed as Officer of the order of the British Empire in New Year Honors for services to cricket.

Ben Stokes’ Best Innings for England:

1. Best Stokes’ 135* v Australia - 3rd Test, Headingley, 2019: 

It is widely regarded as one of the best knocks in the history of cricket. England were on the edge of losing, but this man didn’t give up and crossed the finish line by the barest of margins. England had to chase 359, and Stokes did it single handedly by dealing with intense pressure. He counterattacked, as his innings included 11 boundaries and 8 sixes. He not only saved the match, but also saved England from losing Ashes series. 

2. Ben Stokes’ 84* v New Zealand - 2019 World Cup Final: 

Stokesy is a man of big occasions and he proved that once again by playing a crucial role in the finals of the 2019 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup against New Zealand leading England to victory in a match where it felt all hopes were lost for the hosts. He played a knock of 84*(94) and 8*(3) in the super over. The match was held at Lord’s and it took real nerve to win it for the home crowd.

3. Ben Stokes’ 258 v South Africa, 2016:

Stokes scored the best innings of his test cricket career in the first innings of the second test against South Africa in 2016. He scored 258 runs while also breaking the record for the fastest test double century. His knock included 30 fours and 11 sixes and gave his side the pole position in the match. 

Also Read: Fastest Centuries in Cricket

Ben Stokes Stats - Total Runs, Centuries, and Wickets

Ben Stokes has become one of the best all rounders in modern times. Over the course of 259 matches in his career across all formats, he has scored a total of 10,364 runs, with the highest score of 258, including a total of 18 centuries. His batting ability prowess is matched by his significant contributions with the ball, taking a total of 298 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 6/22. Stokesy is a multidimensional player and has the ability to perform consistently in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, which makes him extremely important for England.

Ben Stokes - The England Cricket Team Captain

Stokes was appointed as the captain of England’s Test side in 2022. He and the head coach Brendon McCullum, are the perfect duo with very similar philosophies. He has been an impactful captain so far as he has managed to secure 14 victories in 24 matches. He gives other players liberty to express themselves and that philosophy has allowed the team to bring their A GAME forward. 

Ben Stokes - IPL Career

Ben Stokes made his IPL debut in 2017 and showed in his caliber in the first season itself. Picked up by the Rising Pune SuperGiants, Stokes made headlines with his maiden Twenty20 century, scoring an unbeaten 103 against Gujarat Lions. His performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player for the 2017 season. In 2018, he moved to Rajasthan Royals, becoming the most expensive player in the IPL auction that year at Rs. 12.5 Crore. In October 2020, Stokes scored 107 not out for Rajasthan Royals in a match-winning partnership with Sanju Samson. However, his 2021 season was cut short due to a finger injury after just one match. Stokes skipped the 2022 season to focus on his Test career. He was picked up by Chennai Super Kings for the 2023 IPL season but couldn’t play a single game due to injury.

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