Ben is the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year.
Since taking on the captaincy, Ben has led an overhaul in the character and playing style of England’s Men’s Test team.
At the start of 2022, England were on a downward spiral. Change was needed and in April Ben was appointed Test captain.
At the time, Rob Key (England’s Managing Director of men’s cricket) said, "He (Ben) epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket."
Supported by a new coaching set-up and the players, this new mentality and approach allowed Ben to rip up the how to win Test matches manual.
With Ben leading from the front, England completed series wins against New Zealand (3-0), South Africa (2-1) and an historic 3-0 victory in Pakistan.
Including the win over India, England boasted a record of 9 wins from 10 Tests under Ben’s leadership in 2022.
While impressive, it was not the number of wins that garnered the plaudits; rather, it was the panache with which England played.
Ben encouraged England to play a style of cricket that was unshackled from the fear of failure, aggressively looking for the win and gave supporters edge of the seat entertainment.
Previous generations of MCC worthies had called for brighter cricket, Ben and the England Test team delivered it.
Ben's contribution was more than just leading a new look England.
He also scored 870 runs and took 26 wickets. With the bat, Ben scored two Test centuries and four half-centuries over the year
As well as receiving the accolade of Men’s Test Player of the Year, the ICC also named Ben as captain of their Test team.
(Photo by Dan Mullan Getty Images for ECB)
