Ben Stokes wins ICC Test Cricketer of 2022 award

The all-rounder scored 870 runs at an average of 36.25 and claimed 26 wickets at 31.19

By Web Desk
January 26, 2023
Ben Stokes leads England in Test cricket — AFP

England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes has been named the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.

The all-rounder scored 870 runs at an average of 36.25 and claimed 26 wickets at 31.19.

In a press release, the ICC also lauded Stokes for transforming England’s Test team.

“On the basis of his numbers alone, England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes had an excellent year in the whites of international Test cricket,” the ICC stated.

“But sometimes the game is about more than just numbers, and in 2022 Stokes – along with new England head coach Brendon McCullum – completely transformed the form, fortunes and style of England Men’s Test team.

“Players and teams have played extremely attacking cricket before. But Stokes has delivered a new level for his consistent commitment to England’s entertaining and aggressive approaches with bat, ball and in the field.

“Since taking over as England captain, Stokes has led the team to nine wins from 10 Tests, completing series victories over New Zealand and South Africa at home, beating India in the one-off postponed Test to level the series at 2-2, and hammering Pakistan 3-0 away from home – England’s best ever margin of victory in the country.

“Prior to his appointment as captain, England had been beaten in each of their four most recent completed series and had won just one of their previous 17 Tests.”

Stokes was earlier this week named as the captain of the ICC Men's Test XI for 2022.

The winners of ICC Awards are identified from the results of the ICC Voting Academy, comprising a wider selection of global cricket journalists and broadcasters, with cricket fans also contributing to the vote via the ICC’s digital channels.

The Performance Period for the awards was January 1 – December 31, 2022.

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