Ben Stokes is an internationally renowned cricketer who has represented England in all competitions.
Known for his all-round abilities, Stokes is a left-handed middle-order batsman and a right-arm fast bowler.
His career has taken off after a stellar performance at the ICC World Cup 2019, where he played a key role in England’s victory, especially in the memorable final against New Zealand.
Stokes is also known for his aggressive style, outstanding leadership skills as England’s Test captain and resilience in domestic and international cricket.
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- Full name: Benjamin Andrew Stokes
- Date of birth: June 4, 1991
- Age: 33 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: New Zealand, Canterbury, Christchurch
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Professional cricket player
- Height: 183 cm (6 ft)
- Parents: Father – Gerald Stokes (rugby league coach); Mother – Deborah Stokes
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Claire Ratcliffe
- Children: Leighton Stokes, Libby Stokes
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Christianity
- Ethnicity: British (of Maori descent)
- Net worth: $13 million
early life and education
Ben Stokes was born on June 4, 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
His father, Gerald Stokes, was a professional rugby league player who later became a coach, while his mother, Deborah, played sport in New Zealand.
Stokes’ family moved to England when he was 12, where his father coached a rugby league club in Workington. Stokes grew up in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth and attended Cockermouth School.
Although Stokes left school at 16 with only a GCSE degree in physical education, he quickly made his mark in cricket.
He began playing for Cockermouth Cricket Club and at the age of 15 helped his team win the North Lancashire and Cumbria Cricket League Premier League. His early life was immersed in cricket and rugby, but it was his love for cricket that ultimately guided his career.
personal life
Ben Stokes married Clare Ratcliffe in October 2017 and the two have been in a long-term relationship. The couple has two children, Layton (born in 2012) and Libby (born in 2015).
Clare has been a staunch supporter of Stokes throughout his career, supporting him through challenging times both on and off the field.
Despite the pressures of professional sports, Stokes has maintained a close relationship with his family and often shares moments from his life on social media. Stokes and his family live in the UK, while his parents moved back to New Zealand in 2013.
Profession
Ben Stokes’ cricket career began in 2009 when he made his debut for Durham. His potential was recognized early on and he made his England debut in an ODI against Ireland in 2011.
However, Stokes really came to prominence in the 2013-14 Ashes series, scoring his first Test century in Perth.
His defining moment came during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final. Stokes’ unbeaten 84 in a dramatic match against New Zealand helped England win their first-ever World Cup title.
This achievement, along with a heroic performance in the Ashes later that year, cemented Stokes’ status as one of cricket’s greats.
Stokes took over as England Test captain in 2022 and introduced a bold, aggressive style of play, often referred to as “Bazball” due to the influence of coach Brendan McCullum.
Apart from international cricket, Stokes has been a valuable player in several franchise leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), when he was signed by the rising Pune Supergiants in 2017 At the time, he was the highest-paid overseas player in the league.
Awards
- 2019: ICC Player of the Year
- 2019: BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- 2020: Wisden Cricketer of the Year
- 2022: ICC Test Player of the Year
net worth
Ben Stokes has an estimated net worth of $13 million.
His income comes from various sources, including his core contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), endorsements and IPL contracts.
Stokes has played for various teams including Rajasthan Royals and has been one of the most popular players in the T20 format.
dispute
Several controversies have marred Ben Stokes’ career. In 2017, he was involved in a late-night brawl outside a Bristol nightclub, which led to his arrest and subsequent trial for affray.
Stokes was eventually acquitted in August 2018 after a lengthy trial, but the incident cost him a place in England’s Ashes squad and damaged his reputation. The ECB investigated and Stokes was later fined for bringing the game into disrepute.
As well as the Bristol incident, Stokes has also faced criticism on the field. In the 2015 ODI against Australia, he became the first England player to be sent off for obstructing the pitch.
Despite these controversies, Stokes continues to bounce back and uses his experience to improve his performance on the field.
social media
- Instagram: @stokesy
- Twitter: @benstokes38
film chronology
- Ben Stokes: Rising from the Ashes (2022) – A documentary chronicling his rise, fall and redemption in cricket.
books
- Firestarter: Me, cricket and the heat of the moment (2016)
- On Fire: The Story of My Unforgettable Summer in England (2019)
