Five cricketers who had a forgettable 2017

#5 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes was at the centre of an unnecessary controversy in 2017

Highlights of Ben Stokes' career in 2017:

-527 runs in 7 tests at an average of 43.92, 16 wickets at an average of 31.31

-Two man of the match awards in Tests for all-round displays against South Africa and West Indies

-616 runs in 15 ODIs at an average of 61.60 and a strike rate of 106.94, 14 wickets and six catches to go with it

-Thrice man of the match in ODIs, including one against Australia in the Champions Trophy

-Became the highest paid overseas player in the IPL when he was picked up by the Rising Pune Supergiants for a whopping Rs 14.5 crores

-Followed it up with an impressive 316 runs at a strike rate of close to 150 (including one century) and 12 wickets

Looking at the eye-catching stats above, it seemed as if 2017 was heading in the right direction for Ben Stokes. England's hopes of retaining the Ashes Down Under laid significantly with their star all-rounder, the closest thing to the great Andrew Flintoff.

However, all of a sudden in September 2017, the 26-year old had an absolute car-crash moment. He was arrested by the police for his involvement in a brawl outside a pub in Bristol. Though he was later released by the police, a video that did the rounds on social media showed him punching a couple of men.

The fiery Durham and English all-rounder was then withdrawn from England's Ashes squad pending the completion of legal proceedings. In his absence, England have been absolutely battered by a clinical Australian team. It is barely a surprise that several pundits and former players are blaming Stokes for England's dismal performance in the ongoing Ashes.