Ben Stokes is a short-priced favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019 when the award is handed out next month.
The England cricketer was man of the match in this summer’s epic World Cup final win over New Zealand, and produced a remarkable innings on 135 not out to carry the side to an unlikely victory in the Third Ashes Test at Headingley.
The Durham all-rounder is an odds-on shot to become the first cricketer to win the prize since Andrew Flintoff in 2005.
Athletics sensation Dina Asher-Smith is second favourite after she became the first British woman to win a major global sprint title when taking gold in the 200m at this year’s World Championships in Doha.
England star Raheem Sterling, who helped Manchester City to a domestic treble and played a key role in the fight against racism in football, comes next in the betting, followed by Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam-winning captain, Alun Wyn Jones.
Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, who won the award in 2014 and another athletics world champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who took heptathlon gold, are the outsiders.
To be named Sports Personality of the Year 2019 (odds via Betfair)
- Ben Stokes - 2/9
- Dina Asher-Smith - 11/1
- Raheem Sterling - 19/1
- Alun Wyn Jones - 33/1
- Lewis Hamilton - 35/1
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson - 49/1
