BEN STOKES has been named the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year.

Stokes helped guide Durham to the County Championship title and ended the year with selection to England’s Ashes squad for this winter’s series.

Stokes, who follows Joe Root in winning the 64-yearold award, took 42 wickets at 26.57 in the first division while also adding 615 runs – including a crucial century in the win over title rivals Yorkshire at Scarborough.

The 22-year-old then made his late push for an Ashes callup in the one-day international series against Australia, taking career-best figures of five for 61 in the final match at Southampton.

Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen won the Cricket Writers’ Club County Player of the Year, sponsored by William Hill.

Despite his county suffering relegation Madsen was the second most prolific batsman in the top flight, scoring 1,221 runs at 43.60.

Former Durham captain Will Smith has signed for Hampshire after the champions opted against offering him a new contract.

Smith made 150 at what was then the Rose Bowl in his year as skipper, 2009, but his five championship centuries in four years since were not deemed to be enough by Durham.

Current captain Paul Collingwood paid tribute to Smith when he said: “He’s been a true professional. It must be tough when you know you’re not going to be here beyond the end of the season.

“He’s been magnificent for Durham as a leader and as a man in the dressing room. He will be sorely missed as a friend and as a team man. He gave 100 per cent all the time.”

Smith said: “I’m delighted to sign with Hampshire and really excited by the opportunity to represent a club for whom I have the utmost respect.

“The Royals possess an immensely gifted squad of cricketers, which I am over the moon to now be a part of and looking forward to the team pursuit of winning some silverware in 2014.’’