Ben Stokes has been handed a boost after his World T20 heartbreak - by being named one of the top five cricketers of the year.

The Cumbrian all-rounder is given the prestigious recognition in the 2016 edition of cricket bible Wisden.

Stokes, from Cockermouth, is joined by England team-mate Jonny Bairstow, Kiwi pair Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, and Australian captain Steve Smith.

The honour underlines the 24-year-old Durham player's status as one of the most influential players in the game.

In their citation, Wisden said Stokes "put in a string of match-changing performances".

They added: "His 92 off 94 balls against New Zealand at Lord’s helped England recover in the First Test, and he followed that with an 85-ball century and some fiery bowling on the final day.

"His diving slip catch on the first morning at Nottingham to see off Australia’s Adam Voges was the individual moment of the summer; on the second evening he took six for 36.

"In January 2016, he belted 258 from 198 balls against South Africa at Cape Town, an innings [Wisden editor] Lawrence Booth calls “the longest act of wanton violence by an England batsman in any format”."

Stokes has been given some time off by the England management after the World T20 final in India, where the all-rounder was hit for four sixes by West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite in a dramatic final over.

His return to cricket could come in Durham's Championship match against Middlesex, which starts on April 24.

Stokes has received widespread support after the T20 final, with England coach Trevor Bayliss saluting the young star.

Bayliss said: “He is one of those blokes – if we had a game tomorrow, he would put his hand up to bowl the last over again.

"No one is blaming Stokesy for anything. To be honest, he is the heart and soul of this team. If everyone put in half as much as Stokesy does, we would go a long way.

“It doesn’t matter whether he is batting, bowling or fielding, he gives you 100% until there’s nothing in the tank. The more of those type of cricketers we can produce, the better for England cricket.”

Stokes, meanwhile, yesterday tweeted his support for England team-mate James Taylor, who has been forced to retire at 26 because of a serious heart condition.

Stokes wrote: "Can't put into words what I felt when I seen the news on James Taylor...quality player, quality human being."

* Taylor - page 37