Cricket Stokes’ captaincy helps scoop Wisden accolade

BEN Stokes has been crowned as the Wisden Almanack’s leading men’s cricketer in the world for the third time in four years, feted for his transformative captaincy of England’s Test team and match-winning turn in the T20 World Cup final.

Stokes, pictured, who appears on the cover of the 160th edition alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, picked up the top award for 2022, following up backto-back wins in 2019 and 2020.

While his first two came primarily on the back of his commanding all-round performances with bat and ball, the latest honour comes as much for the leadership qualities which have revitalised England’s red-ball fortunes and pushed the boundaries of how the five-day format is played.

In all he has overseen 10 wins in 12 matches since taking the Test reins, rewarded for his attacking and imaginative approach.

Despite retiring from 50-over cricket, Stokes also made waves in the white-ball game, helping to deliver the silverware for England’s T20 side as his expertly measured half-century settled the tournament showpiece.

“It’s hard to think of any other cricketer who could have transformed his team’s fortunes so suddenly as Ben Stokes,” said Wisden editor Lawrence Booth. “When he took over the Test captaincy, England had won one game in their previous 17. By the time they had become the first visiting side to win 3-0 in Pakistan, they had won nine out of 10, and were playing with unprecedented style and verve. “Later in the year, he steered England to the T20 World Cup with the defining innings of the final against Pakistan in Melbourne - the icing on the cake for a cricketer who has transformed the way the game is played.”

Wisden 2023 also offers recognition for three of Stokes’ Test teammates. Jonny Bairstow is the inaugural recipient of the newly minted Wisden Trophy, awarded for the outstanding individual Test performance, while Ben Foakes and Matthew Potts take their places in the almanack’s historic five cricketers of the year. Kiwi pair Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell also appear on the list after excelling in the Test series against England.

» The 160th edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack is published by Bloomsbury on April 20.