Sports Personality of the Year nominations: Stokes, Hamilton, Sterling, KTJ, Asher-Smith, Alun Wyn Jones up for gong

BEN STOKES, Raheem Sterling, Lewis Hamilton, Alun Wyn Jones, Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson are the six nominees for Sports Personality of the Year.

England hero Stokes played a critical role as he helped England win the Cricket World Cup on their own turf and is the odds-on favourite to be crowned this year’s winner.

The nominees from cricket, football, rugby, F1 and athletics have emerged as the BBC drip-feed announcing their contenders throughout Monday.

He kick-started the tournament with a stunning catch against South Africa, took seven wickets and notched up a total of 465 runs, including an unbeaten 84 and eight in the Super Over to win that dramatic final against New Zealand.

Stokes then inspired his country to one of the most ridiculous Ashes wins of all time as he scored 135 in the second innings to earn a one-wicket win, tying the series with a record run chase.

His nomination was revealed by Ed Sheeran who said: “Hey Ben Stokes. You are a Sports Personality of the Year nominee. Congratulations.

“I think you should win because you’re a World Cup winner. You had one of the most amazing performances in the World Cup final.

“Just one month later you scored 135 not out to level England in the Ashes and you were also England’s top scorer with 441.”

DINA DELIGHT

Next up, Stormzy revealed that Dina Asher-Smith was on the shortlist.

The sprinting sensation won the 200m gold at the World Championships in Doha to become the first British woman to win a major global sprint title.

She did it in a new personal best and national record time of 21.88 seconds and backed it up with silvers in the 100m and 4x100m relay.

Fellow British world champ Katarina Johnson-Thompson was given the thumbs up as well.

The heptathlete followed in the steps of Denise Lewis and Jessica Ennis-Hill as she won world gold in Qatar in September with a British record 6,981 points.

As revealed by SunSport, Raheem Sterling’s powerful anti-discrimination stance was be recognised with a nomination.

The winger’s amazing form helped to propel Manchester City to retain their Premier League title.

But Sterling, 24, has admirers the world over off the pitch after publicly tackling the fight against discrimination and racial stereotypes in a series of inspirational addresses.

The City forward’s voice opened the debate about social prejudices and bigotry after he was insulted during City’s Premier League clash at Chelsea last season.

Alun Wyn Jones will hope to follow on from fellow Welshman Geraint Thomas’ win last year with the trophy.

Ospreys lock Jones, 34, broke the caps record for Wales during the Rugby World Cup, where he helped Warren Gatland’s side get to the semi-finals.

But it was in the Six Nations where he led by example with colossal drive and desire as Wales beat England and Ireland in tight games at home, as well as France, Italy and Scotland away, to claim his third Grand Slam.

A photo of gentle giant Jones putting his waterproof jacket around the shoulders of a young fan before the Ireland decider went viral in March.

Hamilton was nominated last year and came second to Tour de France winner Thomas.

But the Stevenage speedster has maintained his prime best this year, winning his SIXTH F1 driver’s title.

The annual awards show will be held at the P&J Live in Aberdeen on December 15 on BBC One from 7pm, hosted by regulars Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan.

And as usual it is down to a public vote to decide who will be named the Sports Personality of the Year with Stokes leading the way with the bookmakers, well ahead of second-favourite Asher-Smith.

Thomas’ Tour de France victory saw him take home the gong in 2018, pipping Lewis Hamilton and World Cup golden boot-winner Harry Kane.