Ben Stokes pips Lewis Hamilton to bag BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award

It has been a phenomenal year for Ben Stokes. The English all-rounder grabbed the headlines by his heroics on two instances– 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand and third Ashes Test. Stokes single-handedly steered England to the triumph on both the occasions.

His vital 98-ball 84* knock to propel England to lifting the World Cup will probably go down as one of the iconic performances in the history of cricket. Stokes’ gallant display led the final to go into a super over, where England claimed their maiden World Cup title.

The super over also ended in a tie as Martin Guptill managed one run on the final ball of the Super Over. The run out from Jos Buttler was adjudged as Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year. Stokes spread his magic in the third Ashes Test at Leeds too. Needing 73 runs with just one wicket in hand, Stokes added 76 runs for the 10th wicket with Jack Leach, who scored 1* off 17.

After all the turmoil, Stokes has finally reaped rewards as the all-rounder clinched the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year prize. Stokes pipped six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and world 200-meter champion Dina Asher-Smith to claim the award by public voting.

England’s World Cup team was crowned as the Team of the Year

Stokes thanked those who had helped him through 2018 to forget. After having a dismal 2018 where Stokes was cleared of affray charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, the 28-year-old built his fortune in 2019.”Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I’ve had so many people help me through that,” said the New Zealand-born player while receiving the award.

Apart from Stokes, the whole World Cup-winning team also garnered attention at the award ceremony. England’s World Cup team was crowned as the Team of the Year.

“There’s so many people you feel you have to thank when you’re up here. 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 team-mates, coaches and without that effort, you put in, I wouldn’t be up here receiving this award so thank you so much,” said Stokes was quoted by India.com after receiving the award.

“Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life and I’ve had so many people help me through that. My fantastic manager and friend Neil Fairbrother, you’re more than an agent, you’re an incredible man. I don’t know how you’ve put up with Andrew Flintoff and me, you and [Fairbrother’s wife] Audrey, you’re incredible people,” he added.

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