England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year as the 28-year-old became the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to bag the coveted trophy. It was a glorious evening for cricket in Aberdeen with England cricket team being crowned the Team of the Year whereas Jos Buttler’s Super Over run-out of Martin Guptill in the ICC World Cup 2019 final at the Lord’s was awarded the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year.
Stokes finished at the top podium whereas Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and athlete Dina Asher-Smith finished second and third respectively. Stokes became the fifth cricketer clinch the award after the likes of Flintoff, David Steele, Jim Laker and Sir Ian Botham.
It was a unforgettable year for Stokes, who played various breathtaking knocks for England while helping the team win the 50-over World Cup for the first time. Stokes was the Man of the Match in the final of the quadrennial event as he scored an unbeaten 84 not-out before adding another eight runs in the Super Over. The all-rounder followed it up with one of the most memorable knocks of all-time to help England win the Headingley Test in the Ashes 2019.
Stokes gave a heartfelt speech after receiving the award and thanked his family and everyone in the England squad. The 28-year-old recalled the tough time he was going through a couple of years back and was grateful to have overcome every obstacles on the road.
“First of all, I think congratulations to all the nominees. What you’ve managed to achieve as individuals and do for your sport is simply sensational, so well done to you too.
“There’s so many people you feel you have to thank when you’re up here. It’s an individual award, but I play a team sport and one of the great things about that is you get to share special moments with those team-mates, coaches and without that effort you put in, I wouldn’t be up here receiving this award so thank you so much.
“Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life and I’ve had so many people help me through that. My fantastic manager and friend Neil Fairbrother, you’re more than an agent, you’re an incredible man. I don’t know how you’ve put up with Andrew Flintoff and me, you and [Fairbrother’s wife] Audrey, you’re incredible people.
“My parents, they live on the other side of the world, they don’t get to share moments like this, the World Cup and be there with me, but the time you dedicated to me growing up, the selflessness to get me to training camps and around the country, this is for you. I love you so much, thank you.
“To my amazing wife, Clare. Family to me is more important than what I do for a living. It puts perspective on everything, after the good and bad days they are there for me no matter what. My two kids too, they are awesome I love you so much.
“Back to Clare, you’re a rock. You always have been. You always will be. I wish you could come here and share it with me, you deserve it just as much. I love you so much and I’m so proud to call you my wife.
“I’m guessing I should leave it there.”
