Stokes named Wisden’s best
Ben Stokes is finished Virat Kohli's three-year reign as Wisden's leading cricketer on the globe after playing a starring role in England's World Cup win this past year.
The 2020 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, published Thursday, crowns the all-rounder the sport's pre-eminent player. He's the first England player to receive the honour since Andrew Flintoff in 2005.
The 28-year-old won the man-of-the-match award on the planet Cup final against New Zealand at Lord's and produced a exceptional match-winning innings of 135 not out in the 3rd Ashes Test against Australia.
"Ben Stokes pulled off the performance of an eternity -- twice in the area of a few weeks," said Wisden editor Lawrence Booth. "First, with a mixture of outrageous talent and fortune, he rescued England's run-chase on the planet Cup final, before helping to hit 15 off the super over.
"Then, in the 3rd Ashes Test at Headingley, he produced among the great innings, smashing an unbeaten 135 to pinch a one-wicket win. Against red ball or white, he was a force of nature."
Australia's Ellyse Perry reclaimed the leading women's cricketer on the globe title from India's Smriti Mandhana.
