Ben Stokes

Stokes made his senior England debut in a One Day International (ODI) against Ireland in August 2011. Stokes was caught and bowled by Paul Stirling for just three runs and did not bowl; however, he did take a catch.[21]

Stokes continued in the limited overs side for the ODI series against India in 2011. In the first two games of the series Stokes did not bat or bowl. An injury to Stokes meant that he was not able to bowl in the series, and so was picked as a batsman only. In the third match Stokes hit 20 as England won the match by 3 wickets. In the fourth match of the series, Stokes only managed 7 runs as the match ended on a tie on the Duckworth–Lewis method. He was selected to make his Twenty20 International debut against the West Indies. In the second match he batted at number three, scoring 31 runs although England lost by 25 runs. He played in two T20 matches against New Zealand, although injury again meant he could not bowl. He scored 9 not out in the first game, although England narrowly lost. He did not bat in the second rain-affected match.

Stokes did not play for England in 2012 due to a combination of injuries, lack of form and disciplinary issues. He was sent home from an England Lions tour after he ignored a team curfew.

Stokes practising before England's ODI against Ireland in 2013

Stokes was selected for the England squad for the 2013–14 Ashes series against Australia. He became the 658th player to represent England at Test level. He made his debut in the 2nd Test and took the wickets of Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle before contributing 1 run in England's first innings. In the second innings, he made 28 runs off 90 balls in England's loss.[22] He was selected in the 3rd Test and took the wicket of Brad Haddin, he then made 18 off 57 deliveries. In Australia's second innings he bowled Michael Clarke and took Steve Smith's wicket. In England's second innings he made his maiden Test century scoring 120 off 195 balls before being caught.[23] In the first innings of the 4th Test he made 14 runs, then managed to get Shane Watson out. In the second innings he hit 19 runs and took the wicket of David Warner in England's loss.[24] Stokes took a career-best 6 wickets for 99 runs in the first innings of the 5th Test, including the major wickets of captain Clarke for 10 and top-scorer for the innings Steve Smith for 115. Stokes top scored for England with 47 runs in the first innings to help England limp to 155 all out. In the second innings he made 32 and finished the series on the losing end of a 5–0 whitewash. Stokes enjoyed a solid series however finishing as England's third-highest run scorer with 279 runs and also second-highest wicket taker with 15 wickets.

Stokes was selected to bat at number 7 in the first match of the ODI series, making a quick 21 runs off 20 balls before being bowled. He contributed with the ball by taking the wicket of Aaron Finch. In the 2nd ODI he was out for a golden duck and he took the wicket of Nathan Coulter-Nile. In the 3rd ODI Stokes was promoted to bat at number 3 in the absence of Joe Root, he made 15 runs off 39 balls and also took the wicket of David Warner. Stokes scored his maiden ODI half-century in the 4th ODI, with 70 runs from 84 balls, as England achieved their first competitive win on the ninth match of the Australian tour. Stokes also finished with England's best bowling figures, taking 4–39. Stokes played in the 5th ODI, he took 3 wickets but made 0 runs. He finished the ODI series on the losing side of a 4–1 defeat. Stokes made 106 runs and took 10 wickets in the series. Stokes was selected for the 3rd T20 and made 5 runs.

Stokes was selected in the 1st ODI; however, he only made 5 runs before being bowled. In the 2nd ODI Stokes made 4 runs off 9 balls. Stokes also bowled for England for the first time, picking up 1 wicket for 13 runs. In the final ODI he was dismissed for a duck, although he bowled four overs, taking figures of 1–21. He played in two of the T20 Internationals. He took figures of 0–30 in the first match and made just 4 runs. He was dismissed for a duck in the next match. Despite this England won the game by 5 runs. After the game, Stokes was ruled out of the T20 World Cup through injury after punching a locker.

After missing the series against Sri Lanka to be given more time to recover from his injury, Stokes returned to the squad for the Test series against India. He was selected as an all rounder for the first Test at Trent Bridge, taking 2–81 in the first innings. He was out for a duck when batting as England took a first innings lead thanks to a record partnership from Joe Root and James Anderson. Stokes failed to pick up a wicket in the second innings as the match finished in a draw. He kept his place in the team for the next Test at Lords and took figures of 2–40 in the first innings. However, his poor form with the bat continued as he was dismissed for another duck. Although he picked up figures of 3–51 in India's second innings, he was again unable to register a score with the bat as he made his first consecutive duck as England lost the match by 95 runs. Stokes was dropped for the next Test, with Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes coming into the side. England won the final three matches of the series, although Stokes was not involved in any of them. He returned for the One Day series, although he was expensive in the first game of the series, finishing with figures of 0–54 in seven overs. He made 23 with the bat as England lost the game. In the next match of the series he made just two runs, before taking figures of 1–31 as England suffered another defeat. After being dropped for the next match, he returned in the final match of the series, making an impressive 33 with the bat before taking figures of 3–47 as England won their first game of the series.

Stokes was selected for the tour of Sri Lanka late in 2014, although he endured a disappointing series. In the first match of the series he took figures of 1–36 and scored 16 runs. After being left out for the second match of the series he returned for the third, although he was unimpressive, finishing with figures of 0–28. He played in the fourth ODI, but ended with figures of 0–21 off just two overs, and played no further part in the series.

Stokes batting against New Zealand in 2015

After missing the World Cup, Stokes was recalled to the side to tour the West Indies. In the first innings of the first game, Stokes made 79 with the bat. He failed to take a wicket in West Indies first innings, but made another 35 runs in England's second innings. He again failed to take a wicket in the final innings as the match ended in a draw. He took his first wicket of the series in West Indies first innings of the second match, but could only make eight with the bat. He again failed to take a wicket in West Indies's second innings but England chased down their target to win the game. In the final match of the series, he made 22 with the bat in England's first innings and took 1–17 to help England reach a first innings lead. However, England collapsed in their second innings and although Stokes took a wicket in the West Indies's second innings, it was not enough as West Indies won by five wickets to level the series 1–1.

Stokes retained his place in the England squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's. Following his score of 92 in the first innings, Stokes recorded the fastest ever Test century at Lord's and second fastest by an England batsman, taking just 85 deliveries to bring up his hundred. He followed this by posting second innings bowling figures of 3 for 38, and was later named player of the match. In the second Test, Stokes was less prolific. After taking figures of 1–70 in New Zealand's first innings, he was then dismissed for just six. He was wicketless in New Zealand's second innings and could only manage 29 with the bat as England lost the Test to draw the series 1–1.

In the first ODI against New Zealand Stokes made ten with the bat and took figures of 0–28 as England secured an emphatic win. He took 2–66 in the next game, and followed this up by scoring 68 and taking figures of 2–35 in the third ODI. In the fourth match of the series he took two wickets and scored an unbeaten 19 to help England over the line to win the match and level the series. In the decider he scored 17 and took figures of 3–52 to help England win the match and the series 3–2. He hit an unbeaten 24 and took two wickets to help England win the only T20 match between the two sides.

Stokes was selected in the England team for the first Ashes Test, and scored 52 in the first innings to help England into a first innings lead. He then scored 42 in the second innings as England won by 169 runs. He made 87 in England's first innings of the second Test, but failed to take a wicket as England lost by 405 runs. In the third Test he was dismissed for a duck in his only innings but took 1–28 in Australia's second innings as England won by eight wickets. In the fourth Test he was ineffective with the bat but took figures of 6–36 in Australia's second innings to help England win the match and regain the Ashes. In the final match of the series he took figures of 3–133 in Australia's first innings, but only made fifteen runs with the bat in the match after being dismissed for a duck when England were following on. England lost the match by an innings and 48 runs but won the series 3–2.

In the one off T20I against Australia, Stokes took figures of 1–29 as England won by five runs. Stokes played in all five ODIs against Australia, his best performance with the ball coming in the second game of the series where he took figures of 3–60, although England lost the match by 59 runs. During the second ODI match of the series against Australia, Stokes was given out obstructing the field. He became only the sixth batsman to be given out in this manner in an ODI game.[25] While Stokes never took another a wicket in the series, his batting did improve. He scored 41 in the fourth ODI which England won by 3 wickets. Although England lost the final ODI to lose the series 3–2, Stokes was one of England's better performers, scoring 42 of their 138 runs.

Stokes was named in the England test squad for the tour against Pakistan hosted in the UAE. In the first test in Abu Dhabi, he took 4–57 with the ball in Pakistan's first innings before himself scoring 57 with the bat in England's first innings; the match ultimately ended in a draw when bad light stopped play on the final day.[26] In the second match of the series Stokes was ineffective, taking just one wicket in the match and making scores of 4 and 13 with the bat as England suffered a 127-run defeat. He suffered a shoulder injury in the third and final test in Sharjah,[27] but still batted at number 11 as England ultimately lost the match and with it the series.[28]

Stokes returned to full fitness to take his place in England's winter tour of South Africa. While Stokes did not make a stand out contribution in the first test, England won by 241 runs. In England's first innings of the second test in Cape Town, Stokes arrived at the crease with England 167–4, facing a hat-trick ball from Kagiso Rabada. Stokes then hit a career-best score of 258, which included 30 fours and 11 sixes.[29] It was the second fastest double century in the history of test cricket (from 167 balls). His sixth wicket stand with Jonny Bairstow (who himself scored 150 not out) of 399 was a new world record, of which 196 were scored in 25 overs in the morning session on Day 2 alone.[30] Stokes' innings was ended in bizarre fashion, when after hitting two successive sixes, he was dropped by AB de Villiers only to be run out having paused between the wickets. The match finished in a draw with the batsmen dominating the game. In the third Test Stokes took five wickets as England won, securing a series victory for England. The fourth and final match of the series was won by South Africa, although Stokes did take another five wickets, including 4–86 in South Africa's first innings.

Stokes scored 57 in the first ODI against South Africa as England won by 39 runs on the DL Method. He took 2–53 in the second game, and scored his second half-century of the series in the third game of the series. In the fourth match he took 2–45 but England lost, meaning the series was level going into the decider. England lost the final match by 5 wickets, with Stokes failing to take a wicket in the match. In the two T20Is against South Africa, Stokes took figures of 1–19 in the first match and 0–32 in the second, as England lost both games.

In the T20 World Cup Stokes was expensive in the first game against the West Indies, taking figures of 0–42. After being wicketless against South Africa, despite making 15 with the bat, Stokes took his first wicket of the tournament against Afghanistan. After England beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the semi-final, Stokes put in his best bowling display of the tournament against the Blackcaps, taking 3–26. Stokes bowled the final over of the final against the West Indies, but went for four consecutive sixes hit by the West Indian lower-order all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, and finished with figures of 0–41. In that match, with West Indies requiring 19 runs in the final over, England were very close to the win, but lost the match and the World Cup, and finished as runners-up.

Stokes played in the first Test against Sri Lanka, making 12 in England first innings score of 298 before taking a wicket in Sri Lanka's reply. England won the match but Stokes picked up an injury and played no further part in the series.

Stokes returned from injury in the second Test against Pakistan, scoring 34 in the first innings to help England reach 589/8 declared, although he injured himself bowling in Pakistan's second innings and was ruled out for the rest of the series. England won the only match Stokes played in and drew the series 2–2. He returned for the ODI series, scoring 15 in the first match and 42 in the second as England won the opening two games of the series. He took figures of 1–14 in the third ODI as England won by 169 runs after setting a world record score with the bat. In the final two matches of the series, Stokes made a fifty in both innings. He scored 69 in the fourth ODI as England won by four wickets, and scored 75 in the final match of the series, although England lost by four wickets after setting Pakistan 303 to win. England lost the only T20I of the tour, with Stokes only managing 4 with the bat and taking figures of 0–20.

Stokes scored 101 in the first ODI against Bangladesh to help England to 309, a match winning total. In the next match he took a wicket but was out for a duck as England suffered a defeat. Stokes took 1–24 in the final ODI and made an unbeaten 47 to guide England to a four wicket victory. In the first Test against Bangladesh Stokes made 18 in England's first innings, and then took figures of 4–26. In the second innings, Stokes made 85 and took another two wickets in a "Man of the Match" performance as England won by 22 runs. In the second Test, Stokes took two wickets in Bangladesh's first innings, before making a duck in England's first innings score of 244. He took another three wickets and scored 25, but this was not enough to prevent a defeat, and the series finished 1–1.

In the first Test against India, Stokes made 128 in England's first innings to help them reach 537. He took one wicket in India's first innings, before making an unbeaten 29. The match ended in a draw. In the second Test he finished with figures of 1–73 in India's first innings, before making 70 with the bat. He was out for six in England's second innings as they lost by 246 runs. In the third Test he made 29 in England's first innings, and then took 5–73 in India's first innings. After making five in the second innings, Stokes failed to pick up another wicket as England suffered another defeat. In the fourth Test he made 31 in England's first innings score of 400, but failed to pick up a wicket or make an impression in England's second innings as they lost by an innings and 36 runs. In the final match of the series, Stokes picked up just one wicket and scored 29 runs in the match as England lost by an innings and 75 runs. For his performances in 2016, he was named in the World Test XI by the ICC and Cricinfo.[31][32] He was also named in the ODI XI of the year 2016 by Cricinfo.[32]

Stokes made 62 in England's first innings total of 350/7, before taking 2–73, as England lost by three wickets. In the second ODI he made just one with the bat and failed to take a wicket, as England lost by 15 runs. In the final match of the series he made 57 in England's total of 321/8 and took three wickets, as England won by five runs. In the first T20I he took 1–37 as England won by seven wickets. In the second T20I he made 38 with the bat as England scored 139/6, although England lost by five runs. In the third and final T20I, he took 1–32 as England lost by 75 runs.

Stokes made 55 in England's first ODI against the West Indies as they won by 45 runs. In the second match he took figures of 1–29 but could only make one with the bat as England won by four wickets. In the final match he made a quick fire 34 and then took a wicket as England won by 186 runs to win the series 3–0.

Stokes scored his second ODI century against South Africa in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, and in the tournament itself his third, against Australia. He was also named as part of the 'Team of the Tournament' at the 2017 Champions Trophy by the ICC.[33]

He scored 299 runs, including a century at The Oval, and took 7 wickets in a four Test series against South Africa. In a three Test series against West Indies, he scored 228 runs and took 9 wickets. At Headingley, in the second Test, he scored his fourth Test century, and at Lord's in the third, he took a career best 6–22 with the ball.

In April 2019, Stokes was named in England's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[34][35][36]

In the opening match of the tournament against South Africa, he made a score of 89 runs from 79 balls, claimed two wickets, ran out Dwaine Pretorius and took two catches to be declared "Man of the Match" in a comprehensive 104-run win for England. His catch to dismiss Andile Phehlukwayo has been described as "one of the greatest catches of all time".[37]

Stokes produced multiple standout performances with the bat later in the group stage. Stokes was left stranded on 82*, as England were bowled out for 212 in a surprise 20-run defeat to Sri Lanka.[38] He again proved to be the only resistance to Australia's bowling attack in their following match, by scoring 89 runs in a chase of 286.[39] England ultimately fell short by 64 runs as they were bowled out for 221. In a must-win match against India in the following group match, Stokes played a very important innings, scoring a quick-fire 79 runs in 54 balls, as England won by 31 runs.[40]

In the final against New Zealand, he scored 84*, including 2 sixes in the final over, to tie the game.[41] He then batted in the super over with Jos Buttler, which again was a tie, but England won the match on the boundary count back rule. For this performance, he was named man of the match for the second time in the tournament.[42]

He was named in the "Team of the Tournament" for the 2019 World Cup by the ICC.[43]

Stokes raising his bat after winning the third Test against Australia

Faced with an incisive Australian bowling attack and Bradmanesque batting contribution from Steve Smith,[44] Stokes played a pivotal role in enabling England ultimately to draw the 2019 Ashes series 2–2 (although Australia thereby retained the urn). In the third test at Headingley, England appeared to be heading for almost certain defeat after they were bowled out for 67 in their first innings.[45] Stokes managed to overturn an overnight Australian lead, hitting 11 fours and 8 sixes to win with an unbeaten 135* in a record pursuit of 359.[46] His innings has been described as "one of the greatest innings of all time" and the "greatest ever played by an Englishman".[47][48]

He was named as England's player of the series as he ended the series as England's top run-scorer with 441 runs with 2 hundreds and 2 fifties, while also taking 8 wickets.[49]

Stokes continued on his good form into the tour of New Zealand. He made scores of 91 and 28 as England slumped to an innings defeat in the first test match of the series.[50] He then made 26 runs in his only innings in the next test, as England drew the match to lose the series.[51]

He was named as the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year,[52] ICC Player of the Year at the 2019 ICC Awards.[53]

Stokes' form continued into 4-test match tour of South Africa, as he was named player of the series after scoring 318 runs and taking 10 wickets.[54] Following defeat in the first test, Stokes put in a "man of the match" performance in the 2nd test. He made scores of 47 and 72, with the latter from only 47 balls, to set South Africa a target of 437. Stokes then managed to break the host's resistance, as they fought to draw the game, by taking the final 3 wickets to bowl them out for 248 runs to level the series.[55] In the following match, his first innings score of 120 was crucial in setting up an innings win for England, which meant they took a 2–1 lead in the series going into the final test match.[56] Stokes only made 2 and 28 runs in the final test, but he did take 4 wickets in the match, as England won by 191 runs to secure a second consecutive away series win against South Africa.[57]

On 29 May 2020, Stokes was named in a 55-man group of players to begin training ahead of international fixtures starting in England following the COVID-19 pandemic.[58][59] On 17 June 2020, Stokes was included in England's 30-man squad to start training behind closed doors for the Test series against the West Indies.[60][61] Stokes was named as captain for one of the teams in the official inter-squad warm-up match. In the absence of regular captain Joe Root(due to the birth of his child), it was announced that as vice-captain, Stokes would therefore captain England for the first time.[62] Prior to being named captain, Stokes had never led a side in a first-class, List A or Twenty20 cricket match.[63] In the first Test, Stokes took his 150th wicket, to become the sixth cricketer to score 4,000 runs and take 150 wickets in Tests.[64] In the first innings of the second Test, Stokes scored 176 runs, to record his tenth century in Test cricket.[65]

Following the third ODI against West Indies at Bristol in September 2017, Stokes was arrested after becoming involved in a street brawl near a nightclub with two men, at which teammate Alex Hales was also present.[71] This incident led to both players missing the fourth game of the series, and a hand injury sustained in the brawl also ruled Stokes out of the final game.[72] He also missed the 2017–18 Ashes and the second Test match against India due to the incident and the subsequent trial.[73][74] He lost his apparel sponsorship with New Balance over these incidents.[75]

Stokes was charged on 15 January 2018 with affray along with the two other men, and appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court on 13 February 2018.[76] During the trial, which started on 6 August 2018, Stokes said he was defending a gay couple from homophobic abuse from the other two men, but was accused by the prosecuting lawyer of lying and that he himself had flicked a cigarette at the gay couple and mocked them.[77][78] He was acquitted on 14 August.[79] The couple thanked Stokes afterwards for defending them, saying that he "didn't deserve being put through a trial".[80]

In September 2018, Stokes was charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the incident in Bristol and social media posts.[81] Stokes pleaded guilty to the charges, and in December 2018 was fined £30,000 and banned for eight matches, all of which he had already served by that time.[82]