England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been nominated for New Zealander of the Year – despite helping his team defeat the Black Caps in the cricket World Cup final.

Stokes’ innings of 84 allowed England to tie New Zealand’s score of 241-8, before batting in the dramatic super over in which both teams scored 15 wins.

England won because they hit more boundaries in the final at Lord’s.

Stokes was born in New Zealand but moved to England with his family aged 12.

His father Gerard, who played rugby league for New Zealand, was coaching in the UK at the time.

Stokes has remained in England ever since, though his parents returned to live in the South Island city of Christchurch.

England made history by winning their first World Cup when they defeated New Zealand on Sunday.

Stokes was part of a diverse squad which also included players born in Ireland, Barbados, South Africa and Pakistan.

Cameron Bennet, chief judge at New Zealander of the Year, said the all-rounder “might not have been playing for the Black Caps but, having been born in Christchurch where his parents now live with Maori ancestry, there’s clearly a few kiwis about who think we can still claim him”.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has also been nominated.

Mr Bennett said the way the New Zealander conducted himself in the face of devastating disappointment in the final and throughout the World Cup resonated with his countrymen.

He said: “He’s been the embodiment of the qualities we cherish as New Zealanders – courage, fairness, humility.”

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