Ben Stokes: England's Test Captain — Bazball, 2019 WC Final 84*, Headingley 135*, Greatest Modern All-Rounder
Benjamin Andrew Stokes is an English cricketer born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He is regarded as England's greatest Test all-rounder since Ian Botham and one of the finest all-rounders of his era. He scored 84 not out in the 2019 ODI World Cup Final at Lord's — a tied match England won on boundary count. He scored 135 not out against Australia at Headingley in August 2019, chasing 359 with England 286 for 9. He was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2019. He became England's Test captain in April 2022, working with coach Brendon McCullum to implement an aggressive, positive batting approach nicknamed 'Bazball'. Under this style, England won 22 of their first 27 Tests (as of 2024). He was also named Player of the Match when England won the T20 World Cup 2022 Final (52 not out vs Pakistan at MCG).
Benjamin Andrew Stokes was born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He made his Test debut against Australia at the MCG in December 2013. A left-handed lower-order batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler, he developed into one of the most valuable match-winners in world cricket — capable of defining innings at the highest level with both bat and ball. He became England's Test captain in April 2022 following Joe Root's resignation.
2019: The WC Final and Headingley
In July 2019, Stokes scored 84 not out in the ODI World Cup Final at Lord's against New Zealand. England and New Zealand tied (241 each); the Super Over also tied. England were awarded the title on boundary count. In August 2019, Stokes scored 135 not out at Headingley to chase down 359 — England were 286 for 9 when he was joined by number-11 Jack Leach; together they added 76 in the final wicket stand, Stokes hitting the winning runs with England at 362 for 9. He was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2019.
Bazball and the England Test Captaincy
Ben Stokes became England's Test captain in April 2022 alongside coach Brendon McCullum. Their approach — aggressive declaration batting, never leaving a game as a draw, attacking regardless of match situation — was quickly nicknamed 'Bazball' (after McCullum's nickname 'Baz'). England won 22 of their first 27 Tests under this regime, including a record 3-0 win over New Zealand in the first series. Stokes was also named Player of the Match in the 2022 T20 WC Final (52 not out vs Pakistan at MCG).
Frequently asked questions
What was Ben Stokes's role in England winning the 2019 ODI World Cup?
Ben Stokes scored 84 not out in the 2019 ODI World Cup Final at Lord's. England and New Zealand tied on 241 each; the Super Over also tied. England won the title on boundary count (they had hit more boundaries across the match). Stokes's innings was key in bringing England from a difficult position to tie the match. He also played a crucial role in running out himself off a deflection from his own bat — an unintentional act that gave England 6 overthrow runs (the subject of later controversy). His 135 not out at Headingley later that year — helping England chase 359 from 286 for 9 — confirmed his status as the finest match-winner in England cricket.