Ben Stokes crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year after 2019 heroics
After a mad English summer, Ben Stokes has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his role in the team's World Cup win and producing one of most remarkable Test innings of all time in Headingley. Stokes' nearest rivals were Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and sprinter Dina Asher-Smith.
With the game being behind the paywall following the 2005 Ashes, cricket's standing in England has not been great but 2019 delivered hope. Not only did England go on claim their first 50-Over trophy, but the Headingley win also catapulted the sport into popular imagination once again. Ben Stokes was at the heart of it, having a massive influence in both the wins.
Rightfully so, Ben Stokes became the fifth English cricketer after Jim Laker, David Steele, Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
"It's an individual award, but I play in a team sport. The best thing about that is you get to share special moments with team-mates, backroom staff, management who make days like we had in the summer possible. I'm up here receiving this award not just by myself but without the efforts that you put in this summer, I wouldn't be up here doing that," Stokes, who stayed back in Aberdeen for the award while the rest of the squad went to South Africa, said in his speech.
"Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I've had so many people help me through that. Family to me is more important to me than what I do for a living... I come home from a good day or a bad day and they're there for me no matter what."
Ashley Giles, England's managing director, said, "I'm so pleased for Ben. His exploits this summer showed he is one of the finest cricketers in the world. I played alongside Andrew Flintoff when he won the award in 2005 and Ben's feats this year place him in the same bracket as Freddie, and Ian Botham before him."
Meanwhile, English World Cup-winning squad were crowned Team of the Year while Jos Buttler's run out of Martin Guptill in the final at Lord's was voted the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year. Jason Roy attended the ceremony alongside white-ball captain Eoin Morgan to receive the award on behalf of the team.
"It's been huge. For us to work so hard for the four years and for it to come down to that moment and to wake up the following day and keep getting messages... to inspire people like we did was incredible," Roy said.