Ben Stokes hopes England’s cricketers can follow in the footsteps of their footballing counterparts this summer - even if it will be a tough act to follow.

Last year, the nation enjoyed a summer to remember thanks to the Three Lions’ fantastic run to the football World Cup Semi-Final in Russia.

Now, the cricketers want to keep the party going.

With their own home World Cup to look forward to, which starts in May, before an Ashes series - again on English soil - Cockermouth man Stokes wants Joe Root’s team to do their bit and make it a summer to last long in the memory.

"It will be tough," the 27-year-old admitted. "Football has a bigger following than cricket.

"But our fans are absolutely amazing and I think they are just as excited as us about what this summer has to offer."

On Wednesday, England will start the first Test of their three-match series in the West Indies when Root’s side will look to pick up from where they left off when they finished last year with a 3-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka.

Stokes is under no illusions, however, of the task that awaits.

He told The Mirror: "I always love touring the Caribbean. It’s a beautiful area with a lot to do away from cricket.

"However, it’s not a holiday and the cricket is always the main focus. We know it will be a very competitive tour and [will] prepare us for a huge summer ahead."

Stokes, of course, is keen to let his cricket do the talking this year after a challenging 2018 saw him eventually cleared of affray following a high-profile court case in Bristol.

"Expectations will always be high representing your country," Stokes said. "It will be amazing to do well this summer and I would love to end it being a World Cup winner and regaining the Ashes."

The former Cockermouth School pupil is also the latest British sporting star to sign-up with fashion brand, 11 Degrees, following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Carl Frampton.

And he admits some of his clothing will come as a shock to his team-mates in the sunny Caribbean climate.

He joked: "I get a lot of stick, especially from my team-mates, with my attire but they are just boring.

"Fashion is something I always try to have an open mind with. So, I try to mix it up with different looks as much as I can."

This year, Stokes will once again play for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, where he will play alongside England team-mate Jos Buttler and fellow Cumbrian Liam Livingstone.