Ben Stokes in contention to assume leadership of England’s white-ball team
England’s white-ball cricket is at a crossroads following Jos Buttler’s resignation as captain after a dismal Champions Trophy campaign.
England star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was the star performer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final, and broke many Kiwi hearts in the summit clash of the tournament, has now been nominated for the “New Zealander of the Year Award”.
Notably, Ben produced match-winning innings of 84 unbeaten runs in the final of the Cricket World Cup on 14 July at Lord’s. Stokes’s innings meant that England managed to somehow tie the match in 50 overs and force it into a super over.
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Even though the Kiwis managed to tie the super over England were crowned champions by virtue of hitting more boundaries.
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Interestingly, Ben Stokes was born in Wellington, New Zealand and he has been nominated for the award along with Player of the tournament Kane Williamson, a popular host Simon Barnett and popular rugby League player of former years Manu Vatuvei.
Along with that one of the heroes who saved lives in Christchurch mosque attack, Abdul Aziz, who chased the attacker away was also nominated for the award.
Chief Judge of the Award, Cameron Bennett mentioned that both Ben Stokes and Kane Williamson had been nominated for various awards post an extraordinary World Cup final.
“He (Stokes) might not have been playing for the Black Caps but, having been born in Christchurch, where his parents now live, and with Maori ancestry, there’s clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him,” Bennett said.
Similarly, Prime Ministerial candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have also hinted that they would consider awarding Ben Stokes a knighthood.
Notably, the nomination list for the award will close on 15 September, Sunday (local time). 10 shortlisted names will be announced in the month of December and the winner will be confirmed in February.
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