Cockermouth's Ben Stokes named amongst best in the world in test team of the year

© Provided by News & Star Originally born in New Zealand, Stokes grew up in Cockermouth after his dad became head coach of Workington Town.

Cockermouth’s Ben Stokes has been included in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) world test team of the year.

Stokes, who scored 870 runs and took 26 wickets this year, is joined in the team of the year by fellow northerners Jonny Bairstow and veteran seamer, Jimmy Anderson.

The mercurial all-rounder has had yet another stellar year, leading England to victory in the T20 World Cup in Australia against Pakistan alongside taking the test captaincy and transforming England’s fortunes in the longest format.

His new approach to red ball cricket, conceived with new coach New Zealand’s Brendan McCullum, has led England to new heights, losing just one test match since he took the captaincy with their ground-breaking attacking style.

Among the highlights of last year’s test cricket has seen England chase down their highest ever total in the final innings, whitewashing World Test champions New Zealand and leading England to a historic series win in Pakistan - the first in over 20 years.

READ MORE: Cumbria schools to decide on closures as teacher strike looms