Chris Woakes hailed Cumbrian Ben Stokes’ World Cup final man-of-the-match performance as full vindication for his second chance with England.

All-rounder Stokes, from Cockermouth, was found not guilty of affray last August after his part in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub in September 2017, apologised for his actions and worked his way back into the England set-up.

He completed a personal redemption in a virtuoso display at Lord’s on Sunday.

Stokes’ unbeaten 84 dragged England to a tie with New Zealand after 50 overs; the two sides then tied a super over, too, with the hosts crowned champions courtesy of a superior boundary count.

Woakes praised 28-year-old Stokes for seizing his second chance with both hands, as England lifted the World Cup for the first time.

“I’m a big believer that people should be given second chances; you live and you learn in this life,” said Woakes.

“Ben’s always given 110 per cent on the field, he’s the best team man we have in this team, and we’ve got a lot of good ones.

“He puts in a shift every single day. He wants to be the best he can be, and on Sunday he was, and that’s brilliant to see. He has been through a tough 12 months or so, and for him to come out the other side is credit to him, because he’s put in some hard yards.

"He owned up to what he did, he also apologised to the group and things like that.

“And he copped a lot of stick. So for him to come out of the other side, and be a world champion and be man-of-the-match in that game, is richly deserved.”

Stokes and Jos Buttler inched England home through the super over drama, the added over for each team acting as cricket’s equivalent of extra time.

Asked if Stokes’ match-winning turn crystallised his personal redemption, Woakes replied: “Yes, definitely.

"Ben’s a world-class cricketer and he’s delivered on the world stage on a number of occasions, but Sunday will top it all.

“To get us as close as he did, his and Jos’ partnership was crucial. But to go about getting that score batting with the tail shows his quality.

"He’s the whole package, and he’s a top bloke, as well, so I’m delighted for him.”

Woakes bagged 16 wickets across a hugely-fruitful personal tournament, as England ground their way to their maiden triumph.

Jofra Archer, meanwhile, has revealed how a timely word from Stokes helped him stay cool enough to deliver the super over which sealed England’s first World Cup.

Archer only made his international debut in May but, when the moment came to make one last push for glory, it was the 24-year-old who took the spotlight.

“Stokesy came over and told me, win or lose, Sunday will not define me as a player,” said Barbados-born Archer.

“He probably went through the same emotions and the same feeling when he bowled the last over [when he was clubbed for four successive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in the 2016 World T20 final] and that is why he came over to me.

"Stokesy told me that even if we lost it wouldn’t be the end of the world, that everyone believes in me. But I’m just so pleased we won.”