Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Cricket

Sports Personality champ Ben Stokes was always loved by his team-mates, who helped him through dark times

, Sports Personality champ Ben Stokes was always loved by his team-mates, who helped him through dark times

BEN STOKES is now a national sporting treasure after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

But if it has taken him until this year to capture the hearts of the public, there is one place his popularity has never been in question the England dressing room.

Ben Stokes became the first cricketer since Freddie Flintoff in 2005 to win the iconic trophy

By becoming the first cricketer since Freddie Flintoff in 2005 to win the iconic trophy and in front of a peak TV audience of 8.6million Stokes superstardom was confirmed.

Yet while it is an individual award, the all-rounder remains the ultimate team man, thanking his England pals first in his acceptance speech.

In the run-up to SPOTY, England players had launched a social media #VoteStokes campaign.

So it should be no surprise to hear it was those same team-mates who rallied round Stokes during his darkest days two years ago.

Chiefs omitted Stokes from Englands squad for the 2017-18 Ashes series Down Under for his part in that brawl in Bristol, which saw him charged with affray and then acquitted after a trial.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

And the 28-year-old Durham ace admits that was the moment he realised he was part of a band of brothers.

Stokes, who meets up with the Test squad in South Africa today, said: In terms of what you go through, theres family that you thank but team-mates go a long way towards that as well. They are your family outside of your family because you spend so much time together.

But its more when you are out of the team that you feel that support.

, Sports Personality champ Ben Stokes was always loved by his team-mates, who helped him through dark times
Stokes’ team-mates rallied round him during his darkest days two years ago

When you are in the team, you are in the bubble. Its just train, play, play golf.

But when that gets taken away from you and youre not around those people and then they take time out of their days to see how you are, thats when you really know you are part of something quite special.

That wasnt just for the first weeks, it was until I got back into the team in New Zealand.

Thats what is great about them even though I wasnt there, I was still made to feel like I was.

Stokes more than repaid his pals this summer with those match-winning knocks in the World Cup final and the Third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Team-mate Jason Roy, who took the trophy for Greatest Sporting Moment for his World Cup-winning run-out, said: One day we are going to be talking about the fact we played with Ben Stokes.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Im very proud to say I have and, hopefully, I will play with him for a few more years.

He deserves everything he gets. The hard work he puts in off the field, the things you dont see behind the scenes. I couldnt be prouder.

Ben is a massive leader in our group.

Most of the time he is the one giving his shoulder to cry on and helping people when they are down.
He is able to get around all different egos in the team and man-manage everyone.

Captain Eoin Morgan, who lifted the Team of the Year award, added: The night was all about Ben. Hes had the most remarkable year and been at the forefront of everything we have done.

I couldnt think of a guy who deserves it more. As a team, we are so proud of him.

Unlike the last cricketers to win SPOTY Sir Ian Botham and Flintoff Stokes insists he is not interested in capitalising on his celebrity status.

As Roy joked he should get in the jungle, Stokes added: Hopefully, Im playing cricket for another ten years.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

All I want to do is play cricket and do as well as I can for England for as long as I can.

Everything else outside of that career-wise, I havent given a second thought to.

Winning on the field for the team is what its all about.

, Sports Personality champ Ben Stokes was always loved by his team-mates, who helped him through dark times
Stokes shared an emotional kiss with wife Clare after winning the award

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Arsenal Fans Rally Behind Jailed Journalist Evan Gershkovich, an Arsenal fan and journalist, remains confined in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison on spying charges laid by...

Premier League

West Ham Owner's Criticism David Sullivan, the co-owner of West Ham, has criticized Championship clubs for their high player and manager salaries, questioning why...

Premier League

Heartbreak at Euro 2024 Play-Off Exit Former Arsenal player and Wales captain, Aaron Ramsey, is contemplating his future with the national team following their...

Premier League

Bayern Munich Seeking New Manager Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is reportedly being considered for the Bayern Munich job as the German giants...

Premier League

Premier League Apologizes for Late Change Tottenham's upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest has been rescheduled with just ten days' notice, causing inconvenience for fans....

Premier League

Arsenal's Search for a New Striker Arsenal continues to hunt for a new striker as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his front line. Victor...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement