Wouldn't Sit Right With Me To Be Nominated For New Zealander Of The Year: Ben Stokes

England star Ben Stokes has refused to be in the race for the New Zealander of the Year Award. The World Cup triumph earlier this week would have been a bitter-sweet moment for the New Zealand born England allrounder. Ben Stokes starred with the bat to help England beat New Zealand in a thrilling World Cup final.

Stokes made 465 runs in the World Cup and was named Man of the Match in the final. He not only top-scored with 84 in the final but was also involved in a very bizarre play. It was the final over of the game and he was diving into the crease to complete a second run when he inadvertently deflected a throw from outfielder Martin Guptill to the third-man boundary.

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England were handed six runs and set up the World Cup’s first Super Over. Stokes returned to bat in the Super Over and hit a crucial boundary against Trent Boult to help push England to 15. New Zealand, too, scored 15 in the Super Over, but England eventually won the title on boundary count. Following the defeat, Stokes along with Kane Williamson was nominated for the prestigious New Zealand of the Year Award.

The allrounder, however, has decided not to be in the race for the award. Instead, he has thrown his support behind New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. The England star released a statement to express his predicament.

Here is the Ben Stokes statement:

I am flattered to be nominated for New Zealander of the Year. I am proud of my New Zealand and Maori heritage but it would not sit right with me to be nominated for this prestigious award. There are people who deserve this recognition more and have done a lot more for the country of New Zealand.

I have helped England lift a World Cup and my life is firmly established in the UK – it has been since I was 12-years old.

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I feel the whole country should align their support to New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. He should be revered as a kiwi legend. He led his team in this World Cup with distinction and honour. He was the player of the tournament and an inspirational leader of men. He shows humility and empathy to every situation and is an all-round good bloke. He typifies what it is to be a New Zealander. He would be a worthy recipient of this accolade. New Zealand, fully support him. He deserves it and gets my vote.