A MYSTERY benefactor paid for England cricket hero Ben Stokes to have private coaching when he was a boy.

Captain Stokes, 32, will earn the 100th cap of his glittering career on Thursday in the third Test against India, with the series tied at 1-1.

But none of it would have been possible had he not been given an early leg-up by generous onlooker whose identity still remains hidden.

At Cockermouth Cricket club in Cumbria, where Stokes began his career, a mysterious bystander took an interest in the then 13-year-old and began funding private cricket lessons for him over the winter.

Stokes admits, modestly, that he doesn’t know why the anonymous figure, who must have watched him at the nets and in matches, chose him.

In his new book, Firestarter, he said: “I’m not sure why he chose me.”

“I can only guess he watched me and saw some potential.

“I can only imagine that he believed I was worth backing. It’s certainly flattering.

“From my side, I just hope I have been able to give him some pleasure and a sense of fulfilment that what he did was such a massive help in transforming me into the cricketer I am today.”

The anonymous gift is testament to Stokes’ talent at an early age and, almost 20 years later, it has most definitely paid off as Stokes has gone on to become nothing short of a sporting genius.

Stoke has won Wisden Cricketer of the Year three times and was even named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2019, after inspiring England to World Cup glory.

On Thursday, Stokes will become the 74th cricketer to reach the 100 caps milestone – and the 16th Englishman to do so – following the likes of Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

But he revealed that he was not interested in career landmarks, with the century “just a number.”

Stokes said: “Every Test is just as important as the next one.”

“Then there’s the next one, which will be 101 – it’s just one more.

“It’s a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn’t make much difference.”

“It’s just a number.

“I don’t want it to sound like I’m not thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, but with milestones, it’s not done until it’s done.”

All-rounder Stokes made his Test debut against Australia in Adelaide in 2013, and his 128 sixes in Test cricket since are an all-time record.

England’s shock first Test win has put them in position for a stunning series win with three Tests remaining.

They are looking to become the first away team since 2012 to win a series in India.

On this, Stokes said: “It sets it up for a good series.”

“If we play cricket to the best of our ability then we know the results will look after themselves.”