Ben Stokes along with Kane Williamson nominated for 'New Zealander of Year' award

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the main architect of his team’s victory after he scored an unbeaten 84 runs in the final. Ben Stokes is now nominated for the New Zealander of the Year award. The award is the most prestigious national award of New Zealand honouring people for their contribution to the well being of the country.

Along with Ben Stokes, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is also nominated for the award. Newstalk ZB host Simon Barnett, former league star Manu Vatuvei and one of the heroes of the Christchurch mosque attacks, Abdul Aziz, reports New Zealand Herald.

Ben Stokes was born in New Zealand’s Christchurch and moved to England with his father when he was young. And according to the chief for New Zealander award few Kiwis think that they can still claim him as he belongs to the country’s ingenious Maori tribe.

“He might not have been playing for the Black Caps but, having been born in Christchurch, where his parents now live, and with Maori ancestry, there are clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him," Cameron Bennett was quoted as saying.

Ben Stokes may also be awarded Knighthood in the United Kingdom as indicated by Prime Ministerial candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt.

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