Ben Stokes: We have a responsibility to inspire the next generation of cricketers

The summer of 2019 was pretty big for Ben Stokes

His heroic performance in the World Cup final helped England recover from a poor start and take the game to a Super Over, which England won by the barest of margins. Just six weeks later, responsibility once again fell on his shoulders to get over the line and keep the Ashes alive. What followed was a spectacular 135 not out, in which Stokes demonstrated his unworldly ability to dig in, smash the ball out the ground, and protect his batting partner. It will go down in history as one of the great Test innings of all time. The summer of 2019 was also, therefore, pretty big for English cricket in general. Having hosted, and won a World Cup in in such spectacular fashion, before another against-the-odds comeback in the third Ashes Test, suddenly the country was paying attention again. Cricket's next step on its mission to engage a new wave of fans comes in the form of a brand spanking new format, The Hundred. Stokes spoke to JOE, reflecting on his journey from Christchurch to Cumbria to World Cup glory, and explained that cricketers of his calibre have a responsibility to inspire the next generation of cricketers. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/1364137927731740672