26 January 2023 , 08:49
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England captain Ben Stokes has been named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year for 2022 after making a stunning impact since taking over as skipper in April.
The all-rounder took charge of a team that had won just one of their last 17 Tests and, alongside new head coach Brendon McCullum, transformed them into a more dynamic, positive and aggressive outfit that has now recorded nine wins in ten Tests.
Under his leadership, England produced a record-breaking run chase to defeat India in July, became the first team to ever whitewash Pakistan in Pakistan and also sealed series wins over New Zealand and South Africa.
Stokes also made some bold moves as captain with his field placements, utilised his bowlers expertly and, perhaps most notably, made a bullish declaration in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi that allowed England to produce one of their greatest ever wins.
With the bat, Stokes embodied England's new positive approach as he smashed 870 runs at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 71.21 - including two centuries. He also played a crucial role with the ball at times, taking 26 wickets at 31.19.
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He picked up 4-33 in India's second innings to help set up England's stunning win, while he ended the South Africa series with ten wickets at just 15.70. The all-rounder will now set his sights on having another bumper year, with his England side hoping to regain the Ashes from rivals Australia.
Stokes was also named captain of the ICC Test team of the year, with England teammates Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson joining him in the XI. Jos Buttler and Sam Curran, who starred in England's T20 World Cup win, both made the men's T20I team of the year.
Spinner Sophie Ecclestone was named in the women's ODI and T20I teams of the year, with teammate Nat Sciver joining her in the ODI side. Sciver was also named ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year after smashing 833 runs at an average of 59.5 and a strike-rate of 91.43
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the ICC Men's ODI Player of the Year award, while India star Suryakumar Yadav was named ICC Men's T20I Player of the Year. Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year.