Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is cricket's ultimate match-winner — a genuine all-rounder who can change a game with bat, ball, or in the field. His batting is defined by a combination of classical technique and brutal power. When his eye is in, he plays textbook drives and cuts; when the situation demands it, he launches bowlers over long-on with ferocious pull shots and slog sweeps that defy belief. His 135* at Headingley in 2019 — from a near-impossible position — captured both sides of his game perfectly.

As a right-arm fast-medium bowler, Stokes is capable of extended spells at 135+ km/h with natural away-swing. He is most effective in his first spell of the day or when the game is in a critical state, where his competitive aggression produces breakthroughs under pressure. Persistent knee injuries curtailed his bowling from 2021 to 2022, but he returned to bowl regularly under his own captaincy.

His leadership, which began with England Test captaincy in 2022, has redefined what Test cricket can look like. His Bazball philosophy — attack at all times, never accept a draw, play without fear — produced England's greatest run of Test results in decades and inspired imitators around the world. Beyond tactics, his captaincy is defined by trust: he publicly backs players, creates an environment where risk is rewarded, and leads by personal example.