STOKES NAMED WORLD’S BEST

BEN STOKES is going to need a bigger bar.

The gong-laden superstar of English cricket is now officially the best player in the world after claiming the Sir Garfield Sobers award from the ICC for the global game’s leading men’s cricketer.

And after picking up a trophy only previously won twice by England cricketers, Stokes’ bar at home where he keeps the champagne and medals and trophies he is collecting at a rate of knots will soon start to creak.

It is nothing less than the 28-year-old Daily Express columnist deserves following his incredible 2019 in which he produced stunning performances in both Test and ODI cricket, including a maiden World Cup triumph at Lord’s. “It is quite flattering to win,” said Stokes, who follows 2005 winner

Andrew Flintoff and 2011 winner Jonathan Trott. “The past 12 months have been incredible for England and to lift the World Cup for the first time was our greatest achievement.

“The last 12 months have been the best in my career, and I believe what we attained will be the catalyst to achieve further success over the next few years.”

Stokes, right, was typically gracious in thanking his team-mates too, because at the heart of his success is his desire for others to do well and share in the glory.

Rather than be delighted at making both the Test and ODI team of the year, he will raise an eyebrow at the fact that only Jos Buttler joined him in the ODI team. And Test skipper Joe Root emphasised that since his return to international cricket after a brief hiatus in 2017 – following the Bristol nightclub incident for which he was cleared of affray – Stokes could not have done any more for his colleagues.

“I think it’s the right decision obviously,” said Root. “The way he’s performed all year, in all formats, it’s just been fantastic to be part of the same team.

“More than anything it’s his mental approach to the game. Since he had a time out of the team, he’s grown and grown as a senior player, as a mentor to the young guys within. That’s testament to his character and how much he cares about playing for England and about the group that surround him.”