England captain Ben Stokes has sent a clear message to India ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. He confirmed that England will stand firm in any on-field confrontations,…
England captain Ben Stokes accepted the ICC’s penalty after his team maintained a slow over rate in the third Test against India at Lord’s. The ICC deducted two WTC points…
Benjamin Andrew Stokes was born 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand, into a sporting family—his father Gerard “Ged” Stokes was a professional rugby league player and coach, with Māori ancestry. At age 12, his family relocated to Cockermouth, England, after his father took a coaching role. There, Ben attended Cockermouth School and honed his cricket skills at Cockermouth Cricket Club. By age 15, he helped the club win the North Lancashire & Cumbria Premier Division.
Bright and athletic, he considered rugby but committed to cricket at 15 . His first-class debut for Durham came at 18, and soon after, he earned a spot in England’s national setup by 2011. This blend of raw talent, sporting environment, and early responsibility set the stage for a career defined by all-round dominance and resilience.
Ben embodies intensity and creativity. He plays fiercely yet thoughtfully, balancing aggression with tactical awareness. As England’s Test captain, he promotes a bold, attacking mindset known as “Bazball,” advocating mental health and enjoyment on the field.
He trains hard, and after injury, he embraced rehab rigorously—returning stronger mentally and physically . Off-field, Stokes restored balance through family time with wife Clare and their two children, drawing energy from that support. He leans on tattoos—like his phoenix design—to symbolize renewal and fortitude.
Ben Stokes became engaged to Clare Ratcliffe in 2013; they married in October 2017, and they have two children: Layton (born October 2012) and Libby (born February 2015). His family anchors him; he commemorates them through tattoos, such as the lion family on his back.
He’s publicly acknowledged mental-health struggles following the death of his father in 2020 and other life pressures. This led to a break in 2021 and ongoing psychological self-care. Additionally, he quit alcohol in early 2025 to support recovery from hamstring surgery.
Ben debuted for Durham in 2009’s List A competition and soon earned a full county role, shining in second XI cricket. He made waves with early centuries and hat-tricks, and helped Durham win the County Championship in 2013. His first-class ton at Trent Bridge in 2010 confirmed his all-round credentials .
He also played in global leagues like Australia’s Big Bash (Melbourne Renegades, 2014–15), became vice‑captain for England in 2017, and made headlines in 2022 by smashing 161 off just 88 balls for Durham. He appeared in The Hundred and stayed loyal to Durham, showcasing leadership and impact domestically.
Ben Stokes debuted in ODIs and T20Is in 2011, then earned a Test cap in December 2013 against Australia. His impact was immediate—he scored an unbeaten 120 in Perth in early Ashes and took vital wickets in his first series.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 114 | 166 | 12,686 | 7,063 | 219 | 32.25 | 3.34 | 57.93 |
| ODI | 114 | 88 | 3,110 | 3,137 | 74 | 42.39 | 6.05 | 42.03 |
| T20I | 43 | 36 | 612 | 856 | 26 | 32.92 | 8.39 | 23.54 |
His world-class rise culminated in pivotal performances:
2015–16 SA Tests: record 258 against South Africa and 399-run stand with Bairstow.
2017 Champions Trophy: featured in ICC’s Team of the Tournament.
2019 World Cup: top-scored in final, won Super Over, and earned Man of the Match.
2019 Ashes: 135* at Headingley—one of cricket’s greatest innings .
2022 Test captain: led England with “Bazball” philosophy, won series, and steered team’s aggressive transformation.
2022 T20 World Cup: unbeaten 52* in final helped England win.
He briefly retired from ODIs in 2022 to manage workload but reversed that decision in 2023, playing in the 2023 World Cup and scoring 108 vs Netherlands.
Ben Stokes entered the IPL in 2017 with Rising Pune Supergiant, hitting an unbeaten 103 and winning MVP. From 2018 to 2021, he played for Rajasthan Royals, including a century in 2020 . He missed the 2021 season due to injury and opted out of 2024/25 IPL seasons to focus on Test fitness.
Despite IPL absence, his impact endures. Teams and fans recall his aggressive batting, clever bowling, and on-field charisma—an X-factor presence loved on any team sheet.
Stokes endured a hamstring tear during December 2024 Tests vs New Zealand in Hamilton, leading to surgery in January 2025. He also had knee surgery in November 2023.
He made a calculated comeback in May 2025 during a England-Zimbabwe Test, pacing his bowling and reinforcing match fitness . As of June 2025, he leads England carefully—delivering in home Tests versus India and preparing for the Ashes . He also quit alcohol in January 2025 to support rehabilitation.
