England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been nominated for the prestigious ‘New Zealander of the Year’ award following his match-winning performance in the World Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday (June 14) against New Zealand.
Stokes, who scored an unbeaten 84 in the final, was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but moved to the UK with his family at the age of 12 because his father, Gerard, was coaching in England. But while his parents have moved back home to live in the South Island city of Christchurch, the all-rounder has been in the UK ever since.
And following his heroics at Lord’s, the 28-year-old has now been nominated for the distinguished award alongside the New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson. Speaking about the inclusion, chief judge Cameron Bennett said,
"He might not have been playing for the Black Caps but, having been born in Christchurch, where his parents now live, and with Maori ancestry, there are clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him."
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As for the eligibility, every New Zealander (older than 15 years) is entitled for the award. Furthermore, a shortlist of top 10 nominations will be made public in December, and the winner will be announced in February 2020. And ironically, a statement on the New Zealander of the year reads one needs to “make a significant contribution to our nation and make us proud of our country” for the nomination.
Stokes’ exploit in the final helped England to equal New Zealand’s score of 241 after 50 overs. The game advanced to the Super Over and England emerged victorious on a superior boundary count after both nations were again tied on 15 runs.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk
