Ashes hero Ben Stokes is ODDS-ON favourite to win BBC Sports Personality
BEN STOKES is now ODDS-ON to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after his Ashes heroics. The England star put on what some have described as “the best ever cricket performance” to lead England to victory against Australia in the Third Test. The Durham all rounder smashed an outstanding 135 off 219 balls […]
BEN STOKES is now ODDS-ON to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after his Ashes heroics.
The England star put on what some have described as “the best ever cricket performance” to lead England to victory against Australia in the Third Test.
The Durham all rounder smashed an outstanding 135 off 219 balls to tie the series 1-1 .
England won by a wicket finishing at 362/9 after their embarrassing first innings total of 67.
The last time a team won a match after a first innings score of less than 70 was 131 years ago.
And now Ladbrokes have brought him into the clear favourite to win the sports award at the end of the year.
The bookies now make him just 1/3 to be crowned as the 2019 winner.
KNIGHTHOOD TOO?
Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica O’Reilly said: “Stokes has had a sensational summer and his SPOTY odds continue to tumble.
“Cricket fans have been absolutely spoiled over the last few weeks, and it goes without saying Stokes has been the ultimate poster boy of English cricket this summer.
“His heroics have seen his BBC SPOTY odds repeatedly slashed and it looks like it’s his trophy to lose at this stage.”
She added: “A knighthood isn’t out of the equation either, with punters becoming increasingly convinced he could soon become Sir Ben.”
Stokes is 5/1 for that honour with Ladbrokes.
Lewis Hamilton (10/1), Raheem Sterling (10/1) and Frankie Dettori (12/1) find themselves next in the betting.
STOKES NEVER GAVE UP
Fellow England cricketer Jofra Archer is fancied at 20/1 with the firm.
And finally, following England’s victory in Leeds they’re now the 6/5 favourites to win the Ashes.
Speaking after the victory, a clearly emotional Stokes said: “I never give up really.
“It is never over until it’s over.”
Stokes described Jack Leach as the “super night watchman” but admitted the nerves and pressure started to get to him as the target crept closer.
Most read in sport
2019 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Ben Stokes 1/3
Lewis Hamilton 10/1
Raheem Sterling 12/1
Frankie Dettori 12/1
Jofra Archer 20/1
Dina Asher-Smith 20/1
25/1 bar
He said: “I couldn’t watch at the end.
“I was just so in the zone for what I had to do.
We have managed to keep our hopes alive and hopefully take that momentum into Manchester.”