CUMBRIAN cricket product Ben Stokes deservedly earned the Man of the Series award after helping England to an historic 2-1 victory in South Africa.
The former Cockermouth CC ace picked up the award after the presentation ceremony following the fourth Test in Pretoria, which the host nation won emphatically by 280 runs.
England had already wrapped up the series however, leading 2-1 after the first three Tests, with Kiwi-born Stokes in the thick of the action.
He scored 411 runs and took 12 wickets at under 30 in the series. His staggering 258 at Cape Town was a knock for the ages and he matured by the innings as a bowler.
After receiving the award, Stokes said: “I prefer batting, but it’s nice to be contributing with both. Consistency is something I’ve lacked so it’s good to come here and put in some good performances.
"I like batting with Rooty (Joe Root), we don’t really talk about much out in the middle. The role I’ve been given is to come on and try and take wickets; going for runs is not something I’m too fussed about.”
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