Ben Stokes wins prestigious BBC sports personality of the year 2019 award

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has won the esteemed BBC sports personality of the year 2019 award for his role in the ICC World Cup 2019 and the home Ashes series.

The 28-year-old is only the fifth cricketer, and the first after Andrew Flintoff in 2005, to have collected this award. The honour, announced on Sunday, is part of BBC’s annual sporting award, and commemorates the best of british sports, with the public voting on shortlisted prospect.

England men’s ODI team was named team of the year for their World Cup victory, while the win itself was picked greatest sporting moment of 2019.

England won the ICC World Cup at Lord’s after the rip-roaring final against New Zealand, which was resolved on boundary count. Stokes led the score card with 84 not out in the match to tie the score after the stipulated 50 overs.

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The all-rounder’s unbeaten 135 during the Headingley Test, which rounded off with an improbableone wicket win for the home side, as they were nine down with 73 runs to score, was another high point of a strong summer for Stokes.

"It's an individual award, but I play a team sport and one of the great things about that is you get to share special moments with those teammates, coaches and without that effort you put in, I wouldn't be up here receiving this award so thank you so much," Stokes said in his acceptance speech.

Acknowledging his teammate, skipper Eoin Morgan stated, "Ben is a thoroughly deserving winner. The team always comes first for Ben and he gives everything for the boys around him. He’s a great man to have in the dressing room and so talented with bat and ball."

"When his team really needed him in 2019, Ben delivered and he truly deserves this accolade. We’re looking forward to him joining us in South Africa and we’re hoping for more fireworks from Ben in the series down here and for many years to come," Added Joe Root, the Test captain.

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