Ben Stokes has been named the Professional Cricketers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year for 2019, after starring in England’s hugely successful summer, which included his stellar performance in their maiden World Cup triumph and his stunning rearguard act in their Headingley heist during the Ashes.

Stokes pipped Simon Harmer, Dom Sibley and Ryan Higgins for the top honour. His Headingley heroics also bagged the top spot in PCA’s public poll for the 50 greatest performances by England cricketers.

“Earning this award is a huge moment and something I am very gracious of,” Stokes said. “I am sure the previous 49 winners are gracious of [the honour] too. You take a lot of personal pride when you receive this award because it’s your peers that vote for you.”

Featuring in his maiden World Cup this year, Stokes helped England eke out a boundary-count win after the Super Over in the tied final against New Zealand, also winning the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 84. The following month, he conjured a Test batting masterclass for the ages, hurling England out of a pit in their 359-run chase in the third Ashes Test, and steering them to a one-wicket win with an unbeaten 135.

“While this is an individual award, it is within a team sport, so I am only in this position because of what other guys in our squad have achieved as well,” Stokes said.

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“What we have done as a team in 2019 is phenomenal. To win the World Cup and draw the Ashes has been a fantastic summer and something I am proud of personally and as a team.”

In other awards, Somerset rookie Tom Banton, who earned his maiden national call-up for the upcoming New Zealand T20Is, bagged the Young Player of the Year award. Sophie Ecclestone, was awarded the Women’s Player of the Year for the second successive time, having won the same award in 2018.

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