Stokes leading cricketer in world again

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world for the second year in a row.

Stokes, 29, is the first Englishman to win the award twice since its inception in 2004.

He scored more Test runs than any other batsman in 2020, with 641 in seven matches, while also taking 19 wickets.

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has become the oldest person since 1933 to be named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year.

Stevens, 44, is the fourth-oldest recipient of the award, which dates back to 1889.

England batsmen Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and former West Indies captain Jason Holder join Stevens on the 2021 list.

Stokes won the award last year for a stellar 2019 in which he played a key role in England’s World Cup victory and scored 135 not out in a thrilling one-wicket win over Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

In a year curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Stokes still shone in 2020, averaging 58.27 in Tests, including 120 against South Africa and 176 against West Indies, while his 19 wickets came at an average of just 18.73.

Source: BBC