Cumbria’s Ben Stokes is in the running to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
While Beth Mead, an Arsenal and England footballer who had a major role in the Euros triumph earlier this year is now 1/80 to win the trophy according to bookies, . England cricket captain Stokes is attracting late support.
Potential rival Harry Kane plummeted in the betting after his penalty miss for England on Saturday. Kane was the main rival to Mead but his penalty miss for England last week seemingly stopped his chances.
Stokes and snooker’s Ronnie O’Sullivan are the main rivals in the betting market but big odds at 25/1 and 33/1 respectively.
Stokes is a genuine contender, however, as his appointment as England cricket captain, in tandem with new coach Brendon McCallum as transformed the fortunes of the side.
World T20 champions and some outstanding Test match results, including a series win in Pakistan have shot Stokes up the popularity rankings across all sports.
He has led from the front and injected a team spirit and positive approach which some believe has completely transformed Test cricket.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Stokes moved to England when he was 12 after his father Ged took on the role of head coach with Workington Town rugby league club, for whom he had played earlier.
He was a decent rugby player himself but cricket became his main sport and he joined the Cockermouth club where he quickly caught the eye of Durham county club.
Ben joined their academy and rapidly became an established County Championship player before making his Test debut on an Ashes tour to Australia in December 2013.
Since then he has played in 88 Tests, 105 one day internationals, 41 T20 internationals and 168 first class fixtures.
He has never lost his affection for the Cockermouth club and has been a regular visitor to Sandair since finding fame with England.
Although he might fall short of Beth Mead, there seems little doubt that the adopted Cumbrian is going to finish in the top three next week.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year will take place on December 21.
