15 Apr 2021

Stokes named Wisden Cricketer of the Year again

10:54 am on 15 April 2021

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named Wisden's leading cricketer in the world for the second year in a row.

Stokes, 29, is the first Englishman to win the award twice since its inception in 2004.

He scored more Test runs than any other batsman in 2020, with 641 in seven matches, while also taking 19 wickets.

Ben Stokes of England.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has become the oldest person since 1933 to be named as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.

Stevens, 44, is the fourth-oldest recipient of the award, which dates back to 1889.

England batsmen Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and former West Indies captain Jason Holder join Stevens on the 2021 list.

Australia batter Beth Mooney was named the leading woman cricketer in the world.

Mooney, 27, was named player of the tournament in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup, scoring 78 not out in the final as Australia beat India, while she was also the leading runscorer in the 2020-21 Women's Big Bash League.

Australian cricketer Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Holder is acknowledged for being "a giant both on and off the field" last year when West Indies toured England during the coronavirus lockdown.

He led his side's support of the Black Lives Matter movement in taking a knee before each Test and also took 6-42 in the first innings of the first Test at Southampton, which West Indies won by four wickets.

West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard was named the leading T20 cricketer in the world.

-BBC