Ben Stokes Profile, Career & Stats

Arguably the greatest all-rounder of his generation, Ben Stokes will forever be remembered as the man behind England’s maiden World Cup triumph. What Ben Stokes did in 2019 was quite surreal. It was his all-around abilities that took England to a whole new level where they clearly became the strongest limited-overs side in the world. His knock of 84 in the 2019 World Cup final will be etched in the history of cricket in golden letters. The powerful striker had exhausted all his energy but had to still come out to bat in the Super Over after the match ended in a tie. He battled hard and his exploits were just enough to help England win their first World Cup title by the barest of margins. Born in New Zealand, it was indeed a special moment for Stokes to win the World Cup against the country of his birth. 

What makes Stokes a world-class cricketer is not just his ability with the bat and ball, but also his willpower to come back from precarious situations. Following his World Cup exploits, Stokes struck one of the greatest Test innings of all times when he single-handedly won the second Test of the 2019 Ashes. With England still needing 70 odd to win with a wicket left, Stokes literally made a mockery of the Australian attack and did the impossible with last man Jack Leach who perhaps scored the most important single in the history of Test cricket. He survived a few close shaves but as they say “Fortune favours the brave” and he was indeed a brave man to even think of closing that game out. 

It was a great redemption act from Stokes who was remembered earlier for his two unfortunate incidents, one on the field and the other off it. Given the ball to defend 19 in the final over of the 2016 T20 World Cup final in Kolkata, Stokes was smashed for four consecutive sixes and his face at the end of the match summed up what he might have gone through after that match. The next incident occurred in 2017 when he was involved in a fight outside a Bristol Pub which led to his arrest. He was cleared of any charge by the court but the damage was done as far as his reputation was concerned. He missed the 2017-18 Ashes and was also stripped from vice-captaincy. 

The comeback which followed was simply exemplary as the all-rounder was instrumental in England’s first-ever series whitewash in Asia when they defeated Sri Lanka 3-0. There was no looking back for Stokes from that point.

Stokes was actually born in Christchurch, and came from a rich sporting pedigree with his father, Ged, playing international Rugby League for New Zealand. However, from the moment he made his Durham debut, the all-rounder has been much a product of the northeast of England.

Stokes has always been a character. Even before making his Test debut, he was sent back home after being included in the England Lions squad for the tour of Australia in 2013. He took it to his strides and returned for Durham to let his game answer. He decided to score consistently and take wickets for Durham during their triumphant campaign. Stokes was eventually selected for the tour of Australia and he emerged as one of the bright spots for England. He smashed a sensational hundred at Perth albeit in a losing cause. 

As far as franchise cricket is concerned, Stokes has always been a sought after cricketer and attracted huge bids in the 2017 IPL Auctions when he was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiant. He did justice to his reputation and was subsequently bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 12.5 crores in the 2018 Auctions.

However, in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, Ben Stokes suffered a fracture on his left index finger. The incident occurred while fielding during the RR’s opening match against the Punjab Kings.

Ben Stokes opted out of the 2022 IPL season to prioritise his Test commitments. However, in December 2022, he was bought by Chennai Super Kings for INR 16.25 crore for the 2023 season, becoming one of the most expensive signings that year.

In April 2022, Stokes was appointed England's Test captain following Joe Root’s resignation. Alongside coach Brendon McCullum, he introduced a bold and attacking brand of cricket, later dubbed “Bazball.” His captaincy began with a 3–0 series win over New Zealand. He followed it up with a 2–1 series victory over South Africa, where he was named Player of the Series for his all-round performance.

In July 2022, citing the challenges of playing all formats, Stokes announced his retirement from ODIs. However, in August 2023, he reversed this decision to play in the 2023 World Cup, where he eventually scored a match-winning century against the Netherlands after a slow start to the tournament.

Stokes was instrumental in England’s win in the 2022 T20 World Cup final, scoring an unbeaten fifty to guide his team to victory over Pakistan. In a gesture of goodwill, he donated his match fees from England’s tour of Pakistan to help with flood relief efforts.

In early 2023, he broke the record for most sixes in Test cricket, surpassing his coach McCullum’s tally. He also marked his 100th Test in February 2024 against India. In July 2024, he smashed a 24-ball fifty—the fastest by an English player in Test history—during a match against the West Indies.

He signed a new two-year central contract with the ECB in October 2024, reflecting his ongoing importance to the team, especially with key series like the Ashes ahead. Unfortunately, in December 2024, he suffered a torn hamstring during a Test in New Zealand, requiring surgery and ruling him out of action for several months. Despite the injury, Stokes expressed strong determination to return fully fit.

Ben Stokes remains one of England’s most influential cricketers, known for his leadership, resilience, and match-winning ability across formats. His impact on the game extends beyond stats, embodying the spirit of modern, fearless cricket.

(As of April 2025)