England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has capped off his summer of a lifetime by picking up the Reg Hayter Cup for the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year at the 50th NatWest PCA Awards ceremony this evening.
The 28-year-old has scooped the most prestigious individual award in English cricket after an unforgettable international summer saw England claim their maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy before going on to draw an enthralling home Ashes series against Australia.
Stokes’ individual achievements within that context have been recognised by his fellow professionals, with his unbeaten 84 in the World Cup final and blistering 135 not out to win the third Ashes Test at Headingley in particular capturing the imagination of the players and the general public alike. Two performances that have also been voted the best for England in the last 50 years according to research revealed by the PCA this morning.
The Durham man was voted by his peers from both the England squad and the county circuit to receive the award, claiming the Reg Hayter Cup ahead of three worthy fellow nominees in Simon Harmer, Ryan Higgins and Dom Sibley.
Stokes is the sixth player to be awarded the PCA Young Player of the Year and NatWest PCA Players’ Player after his 2013 success as a 22-year-old and is the first player to lift the Reg Hayter Cup for their England performances since Andrew Flintoff in 2005.
“It’s hard to put it into words,” said Stokes.
“I am over the moon that players think I am worthy of winning the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year through performances this summer.
“You can take a lot of personal pride when you receive this award because it’s your peers that vote for you. Earning this award is a huge moment and something I am very gracious of and I am sure the previous 49 winners are gracious of too.
“While this is an individual award, it is within a team sport so I am only in this position because of what other guys in our squad have achieved as well. What we have done as a team in 2019 is phenomenal, to win the World Cup and draw the Ashes has been a fantastic summer and something I am proud of personally and as a team.”
Durham were further represented in the awards as D’Arcy Short has picked up the Vitality Blast Player of the Year award.
The Australian opener enjoyed a wonderful campaign at Emirates Riverside on his way to earning the PCA MVP title. He scored 483 runs in 12 innings at an average of 43.90. It was his additional contribution with the ball that eventually lifted him to the MVP title – taking 13 wickets.
David Leatherdale, Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, said:
“What an incredible summer. The 50th NatWest PCA Awards has proved to be a great celebration of a landmark year for the game in this country.
“England’s World Cup success, a stirring Ashes series and the heroics of tonight’s award winner Ben Stokes in particular have captured the public’s imagination in a way which we haven’t seen since 2005.
“Tonight is about championing the individual players across the county and international game, so congratulations to Ben and the rest of the winners this evening. The greatest honour you can receive as a professional is to be recognised by your fellow players, and all three should take great confidence as they strive for international success this winter.”
The 50th NatWest PCA Awards were held at the Roundhouse in Camden. The event, organised by the PCA in conjunction with the England & Wales Cricket Board, celebrates the highlights of the international and domestic season with all proceeds going to the players’ charity, the Professional Cricketers’ Trust.