From Bristol incident to World Cup and Ashes heroics – Ben Stokes’ highs and lows

Ben Stokes has been confirmed as captain of England’s men’s Test team, taking over after five years of Joe Root’s leadership.

It sees the Durham all-rounder assume one of the most prestigious positions in British sport.

Here the PA news agency looks at some of Stokes’ previous best moments, as well as some of those that he will look back on less fondly.

Without Stokes’ outright heroics in 2019, England’s men would still be looking for a first ever World Cup title. He produced an unforgettable performance in the final in front of a sold-out Lord’s – and a bumper audience on free-to-air TV – to bring home the trophy against his native New Zealand. His 84 not out was a thrill ride, levelling the scores from a seemingly hopeless position to force an unprecedented super over. He batted again to help seal the deal and spark nationwide celebrations.

Just six weeks after his World Cup stunner, Stokes put together a performance that many experts rated as even more remarkable. After being bowled out for a humiliating 67 in the first innings of the third Ashes Test, Stokes inspired a national record chase of 359 on a delirious fourth day in Leeds. His last-wicket stand of 76 with number 11 Jack Leach, who accounted for just one of them, is already the stuff of cricketing folklore.

Precious few of the England squad that were routed 5-0 in Australia in 2013-14 came out with their reputations enhanced, but a pugnacious, young debutant somehow managed to stand tall above his more experienced colleagues. Stokes hit a brilliant second-innings 120 in Perth and then took figures of six for 99 in the first innings at Sydney. A star was born.

Stokes was making a gentle recovery from a broken finger last June when a Covid-19 outbreak in Eoin