Ben Stokes is one of England’s most explosive all-rounders, known for his Bazball leadership and game-changing knocks. He’s captained the Test side to thrilling wins while smashing records across formats.
Ben Stokes’ Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Benjamin Andrew Stokes |
| Nickname | Stokesy, The Hurt Locker, Rocky |
| Date of Birth | 4 June 1991 |
| Age | 34 years |
| Birthplace | Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Nationality | English |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Batting Style | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Domestic Team | Durham |
| International Debut | ODI: vs Ireland, 2011; Test: vs Australia, 2013; T20I: vs Australia, 2011 |
| Turned Professional | 2009 (senior debut for Durham at age 17) |
| Net Worth | $13 million (estimate) |
| Annual Salary | Around £2.5 million ($3.3 million) from ECB central contract |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse/Partner | Clare Ratcliffe |
| Instagram Profile | @stokesy |
Stokes grew up in New Zealand before his family moved to England, shaping his aggressive style early on. His tattoos, including a lion family on his back and Maori Ngāpuhi heritage ink, reflect his personal roots and family pride. At 34, he remains a fitness machine, balancing captaincy demands with family life.
Early Career
Ben Stokes burst onto the scene with Durham in 2009 at just 17, grabbing attention by dismissing Mark Ramprakash with his third ball in List A cricket. He shone in youth Tests against Bangladesh U19 and smashed a century versus India U19 at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup.
His maiden first-class ton came against Nottinghamshire in May 2010, earning him a spot in England’s Performance Programme for the 2010-11 Ashes trip. By then, injuries tested him, but his all-round talent was clear.
Professional Career
Stokes debuted for England in ODIs against Ireland in 2011, quickly becoming a white-ball star with his explosive batting and handy seam bowling. His Test breakthrough arrived in the 2013-14 Ashes, where he scored a maiden century and took key wickets despite the 5-0 loss.
Highlights include his epic 2019 World Cup final 84 tying the game, leading to England’s win on boundary countback, and a career-best 258 versus South Africa in 2016. Appointed Test captain in 2022, he pioneered “Bazball”—an attacking style that swept New Zealand 3-0 and redefined Tests.
In 2024, he smashed the fastest Test 50 by an Englishman (24 balls) against West Indies. As of early 2026, he’s played 120 Tests (7,216 runs at 34.86 avg, 14×100, 230 wickets at 31.64), 114 ODIs (3,463 runs at 41.23, 5×100, 74 wickets), and 43 T20Is (585 runs, 26 wickets), captaining England to multiple series triumphs while managing injuries.
Wife
Ben Stokes is happily married to Clare Ratcliffe since October 14, 2017, after getting engaged in 2013. The couple has two children: son Layton Stokes and daughter Libby Stokes. They keep family private but Stokes often credits Clare for support through career ups and downs, like his 2021 mental health break.
Ben Stokes’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ben Stokes’ net worth sits at around $13 million, up from $11 million in 2024, fueled by central contracts, match fees, and IPL stints.
Contract
Stokes holds an ECB central contract worth £900,000–£1 million annually as Test captain, renewed yearly—he opted for a one-year deal in 2023 to stay flexible. His Durham deal ran through at least 2024, with no public 2026 updates, but he remains their key player. No IPL 2026 confirmed, as he skipped recent auctions focusing on England duties.
Salary
Stokes pulls in about £2.5 million ($3.3 million) yearly from his ECB central contract, one of the highest in English cricket. Match fees add up: £14,500 per Test, £7,000 per ODI, and £4,500 per T20I. Domestic pay from Durham and occasional leagues like Big Bash boost it further, making his total annual income around $1.5–3 million depending on schedule.
Career Earnings
| Year | IPL Salary (INR Crore) | ECB/Other Major Earnings (Est. USD) | Total Est. (USD) |
| 2017 | 14.5 (Rising Pune) | ~1M | ~2.2M |
| 2018 | 12.5 (Rajasthan Royals) | ~1.2M | ~2.3M |
| 2019 | 12.5 (RR) | ~1.5M | ~2.5M |
| 2020 | 12.5 (RR) | ~1.5M | ~2.5M |
| 2023 | 16.25 (Chennai Super Kings) | ~2M | ~3.2M |
| 2021-2022 (Avg) | N/A | ~2M (central + Tests) | ~2M |
| 2024-2026 (Avg) | N/A | ~3M/year (captaincy) | ~9M total |
Endorsements
Stokes bags big from brands like Red Bull, Gunn & Moore (bat sponsor since 2018), Adidas, and Wasserman Cricket, earning millions extra yearly. Past New Balance deal ended post-2017 incident, but he rebounded with GM long-term. Luxury cars (Rs 1.5-2 crore) and spots like Seaham Hall, Wimpole Clinic highlight his marketability as England’s face.
Career Records
| Opponent | Format | Matches | Runs (Avg/HS) | Wickets (Avg/Best) | Key Notes |
| Australia | Test (Ashes focus) | 24 | 1,562 (36.32/HS not spec) | 41 (38.95/5+ hauls x2) | Only England ton in 2013-14 Ashes whitewash |
| Australia | ODI | 18 | 538 (35.86/102*) | N/A | Strong white-ball record |
| New Zealand | ODI | 16 | 661 (55.08/182) | N/A | Highest ODI score for England |
| India | ODI | 21 | 522 (32.62/99) | N/A | Consistent challenger |
| South Africa | Test | N/A | 258 HS (2nd-fastest double ton) | N/A | Career-best knock |
| West Indies | Test | 14 | 783 (65.25) | N/A | Dominant avg |
FAQs
1. Who is Ben Stokes?
Ben Stokes is an English international cricketer, captain of the England Test team, and one of the greatest all-rounders in history. He plays as a left-handed batsman and right-arm fast bowler for Durham in domestic cricket.
2. When and where was Ben Stokes born?
Ben Stokes was born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand. His family moved to England when he was 12 after his father became a rugby coach there.
3. What are Ben Stokes’ major achievements?
Stokes won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup with England. He was Wisden Leading Cricketer in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2019.
4. When did Ben Stokes become England Test captain?
Ben Stokes was appointed England Test captain in April 2022 after Joe Root’s resignation. He introduced “Bazball,” an aggressive style with coach Brendon McCullum.
5. What is Ben Stokes’ highest Test score?
Ben Stokes’ highest Test score is 258 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016. It set records for most runs by a No. 6 batter and second-fastest double century.
6. What happened in the 2019 World Cup final?
In the 2019 World Cup final, Stokes scored 84 not out to tie the match against New Zealand. He batted in the Super Over tie, winning via boundary countback; earned Man of the Match.
7. What is the Headingley 2019 miracle?
In the 2019 Ashes at Headingley, Stokes scored an unbeaten 135 with 11 fours and 8 sixes to chase 359, winning from 67 all out. Wisden called it the greatest Test innings by an Englishman.
8. Has Ben Stokes retired from any formats?
Stokes retired from ODIs in 2022 due to workload but returned for the 2023 World Cup. He focuses mainly on Tests, stepping away from white-ball after 2023.
9. What are Ben Stokes’ latest injuries?
In late 2024, Stokes tore his hamstring in New Zealand, underwent surgery in 2025, missing events but returning for Zimbabwe Test. Recent facial injury from nets led to cheekbone surgery.
10. What is Ben Stokes’ family like?
Stokes married Clare Ratcliffe in 2017; they have two children. His father, Gerard, was a rugby player/coach who died in 2020; Stokes has Māori heritage from his mother.