Ben Stokes nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

The England allrounder is the bookmakers' favourite to become the fifth cricketer to scoop the prestigious prize

England star Ben Stokes has been recognised for his phenomenal achievements in 2019 by being nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The allrounder played a leading role in England's first-ever 50-over World Cup success on home soil.

And though the team failed to win the Ashes back off Australia, the Durham man hit a memorable 135 not out to win the third Test at Headingley.

He is one of six contenders for the prize - awarded since 1954 and decided by a public vote - that honours the outstanding sportsperson of the last year.

The first nominee for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019 is…

🌟 @BenStokes38 🌟

We’ll let his biggest fan @edsheeran tell you more…#SPOTY pic.twitter.com/0qb8ehsLNi

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 25, 2019

Popstar Ed Sheeran, visible at several matches during the summer, revealed the nomination via a video on Twitter.

Bookmakers have already installed the 28-year-old as favourite to become the fifth cricketer to scoop the trophy.

Jim Laker (1956), David Steele (1975), Ian Botham (1981) and Andrew Flintoff (2005) are the previous winners from the sport.

The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 15 during a ceremony in Aberdeen.

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