History of Ben Stokes in Timeline

Ben Stokes is an English international cricketer, currently the captain of the England Test team. He is recognized as one of England's greatest all-rounders, playing in all three formats of the game. Domestically, he represents Durham and has participated in various Twenty20 leagues globally. A key member of the England squad, Stokes contributed significantly to their victories in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

1981: Ian Botham's Record

In 1981, Ian Botham set a record for the fastest half-century by an English player.

2013: Engagement to Clare Ratcliffe

In 2013, Ben Stokes became engaged to Clare Ratcliffe.

September 2017: Arrested After Street Brawl

In September 2017, Ben Stokes was arrested following a street brawl near a nightclub in Bristol, after the third ODI against the West Indies. Teammate Alex Hales was also present. The brawl resulted in injuries to two men. Stokes later missed games and the Ashes series due to the incident, and lost his sponsorship with New Balance.

October 2017: Marriage to Clare Ratcliffe

In October 2017, Ben Stokes married Clare Ratcliffe in East Brent, Somerset. They had become engaged in 2013 and later had two children.

January 2018: Charged with Affray

On January 15, 2018, Ben Stokes was charged with affray along with two other men following the street brawl incident in Bristol.

February 2018: Appeared Before Bristol Magistrates' Court

On February 13, 2018, Ben Stokes appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court in connection with the affray charge.

August 2018: Acquitted of Affray Charge

On August 14, 2018, Ben Stokes was acquitted of the affray charge during the trial which started on August 6, where he testified that he was defending a gay couple from homophobic abuse.

September 2018: Charged with Bringing Game into Disrepute

In September 2018, Ben Stokes was charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the Bristol incident and social media posts.

December 2018: Fined and Banned by ECB

In December 2018, Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the charges of bringing the game into disrepute and was fined £30,000 and banned for eight matches by the ECB, a ban he had already served.

2019: The Sun published front-page story about a family tragedy

In 2019, The Sun published a front-page story about a family tragedy that was deemed not in the public interest.

December 2020: Death of Father, Ged Stokes

In December 2020, Ben Stokes' father, Ged Stokes, passed away due to brain cancer, contributing to Ben's mental health struggles.

June 2021: Took Indefinite Break from Cricket

In June 2021, Ben Stokes announced an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his 'mental wellbeing'.

2021: Received damages from The Sun

In 2021, Ben Stokes and his mother received damages from The Sun newspaper, which had published a front-page story about a family tragedy in 2019 that was deemed not in the public interest.

June 2022: Started Captaincy with Clean Sweep of New Zealand

In June 2022, Ben Stokes began his captaincy by leading the England cricket team to a 3–0 clean sweep victory over New Zealand. He contributed 194 runs in 5 innings, maintaining an average of 48.50.

July 2022: England Defeats South Africa, Stokes Named Player of the Series

In July 2022, England won the Test series against South Africa 2–1, with Ben Stokes being named Player of the Series. He scored 149 runs in 4 innings at an average of 37.25 and took 10 wickets at a bowling average of 15.70.

July 2022: Retirement from ODI Cricket

On July 18, 2022, Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket after the first match against South Africa, citing the physical and mental demands of playing all three formats.

August 2022: Still speaking to therapist, and taking anti-anxiety medication

As of August 2022, Ben Stokes stated that he was still speaking to his therapist and continuing to take anti-anxiety medication to manage his mental health.

2022: Donation of Match Fees to Pakistan Flood Relief

Following the Pakistan floods in 2022, Ben Stokes announced that he would donate his match fees from the Pakistan test series to the flood appeal, aiming to contribute to the rebuilding of the affected areas.

2022: Won ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final

In 2022, Ben Stokes scored an unbeaten 52* in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final, contributing to England's victory over Pakistan.

August 2023: Return to ODI Cricket for 2023 Cricket World Cup

On August 16, 2023, Ben Stokes' return to ODI cricket was announced as he was named in England's squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, reversing his earlier retirement decision.

2023: Scored Century Against Netherlands

In 2023, Ben Stokes, after coming out of ODI retirement, scored a century against the Netherlands in the Cricket World Cup, hitting 108 runs off 84 balls and winning the Man of the Match award.

July 2024: Fastest Test Half-Century by an English Player

On July 28, 2024, during the 3rd Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston, Ben Stokes scored the fastest Test half-century by an English player, reaching 50 off just 24 balls.

October 2024: Signed a new two-year central contract

In October 2024, Ben Stokes committed to a new two-year central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), extending his tenure until the autumn of 2026.

December 2024: Torn Left Hamstring

In December 2024, Ben Stokes suffered a torn left hamstring during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, leading to a period of absence from cricket.