Cricket bible Wisden has named Cumbrian star Ben Stokes the leading player in men's cricket for the third time in four years.

Stokes' status is underlined by the accolade in the 2023 edition of the famous almanack.

The all-rounder, from Cockermouth, is saluted for his instant impact as England's test captain.

Wisden say 31-year-old Stokes has "led England's red-ball revolution" as well as playing a key part in England's World T20 victory.

Will Macpherson, writing for Wisden, said Stokes was "unquestionably the most influential figure in men’s cricket" over the last year.

"Stokes inherited England’s Test team at a low ebb – one win in 17, an Ashes obliteration, a state-of-the-nation review commissioned – and proved a transformative leader, as tactician and statesman," he wrote.

"Under him, England won nine of their first ten Tests, in convention-defying fashion. It seemed each victory was more absurd than the last."

Stokes' captaincy, in tandem with the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum, has seen England turn around their fortunes.

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth added: "It's hard to think of any other cricketer who could have transformed his team's fortunes so suddenly as Ben Stokes.

"When he took over the Test captaincy, England had won one game in their previous 17. By the time they had become the first visiting side to win 3-0 in Pakistan, they had won nine out of 10, and were playing with unprecedented style and verve.

"Later in the year, he steered England to the T20 World Cup with the defining innings of the final against Pakistan in Melbourne - the icing on the cake for a cricketer who has transformed the way the game is played."