Ben Stokes’ father Ged diagnosed with brain cancer
Ben Stokes has admitted his “head wasn’t really in” England’s recent Test series with Pakistan after it was revealed his father Ged is suffering from brain cancer.
Stokes left for New Zealand – where his father and mother Deb live – after the first Test win over Pakistan earlier this month, with the England and Wales Cricket Board saying it was down to “family reasons”.
The precise reason behind Stokes’ departure was not made public at the time, but his father has told the New Zealand Herald that he was diagnosed with brain cancer in January.
“I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really in it,” England vice-captain Stokes told the Weekend Herald about his last Test appearance.
“Leaving (the team) was the right choice from a mental point of view.”
Stokes senior, a former New Zealand rugby league player, was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg ahead of England’s Boxing Day Test with South Africa.
It was said at the time that he had suffered a brain bleed which required surgery, and the cancer diagnosis was made on his return to New Zealand.
Speaking about his father, Stokes said: “He was tough (on me). But as I got older I realised it was all for a reason.
“He knew I wanted to be a professional sportsman and he was drilling that into me as I started to make a career in cricket.
“His reputation sort of speaks for itself. You speak to anyone who knows him, played with him or worked with him, they’d all say the same thing.
“Most people acquire a softer side with age and sometimes with dad that has been quite weird to see.
Official Statement: Ben Stokes
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 9, 2020
“What he’s going through has brought that side out as well – we all knew he had it, he just didn’t show it that often.”
Stokes senior, 64, speaking about his diagnosis, said: “They had to assess how I travelled (to South Africa) and from that they discovered I had a couple of tumours on my brain as well.
“So, basically brain cancer. How that came about nobody knows but obviously I’ve had a few bangs on my head through my life so that’s probably contributed to it.”
Latest
-
NewsEngland’s Jonny Bairstow rules himself out of T20 World Cup due to injury
The 33-year-old is unsure when he will be fit to return.
-
NewsJasprit Bumrah ruled out of India’s Twenty20 World Cup squad
Bumrah is one of the leading seam bowlers in world cricket and his absence is a major setback to India.
-
NewsMatthew Mott ‘close’ to knowing England’s first-choice World Cup Twenty20 team
The head coach has hinted hint that Harry Brook has forced his way in following the series win in Pakistan.
-
NewsTeams will fear us – Moeen Ali turns attention to T20 World Cup after series win
England beat Pakistan in the deciding seventh T20 in Lahore.
-
NewsEngland finish with a flourish in Lahore to wrap up T20 series win over Pakistan
Dawid Malan led the way with an unbeaten 78 as the tourists won the decider in the seven-match series by 67 runs.
-
NewsDawid Malan shines as England set Pakistan 210 to win Twenty20 series decider
Harry Brook added an unbeaten 46 as England made 209 for three in Lahore.
-
NewsDavid Saker backs England bowlers to make splash at Twenty20 World Cup
He has been working closely with the team over the course of an entertaining back-and-forth series.
-
NewsPhil Salt grateful for England backing after starring in big win over Pakistan
The opener had scored just 59 runs in his first five innings on tour but blazed 87 not out to guide England to victory over Pakistan on Friday.
-
NewsPhil Salt powers England to emphatic win over Pakistan as series goes to decider
Opener Salt scored an unbeaten 88 as England won by eight wickets.
-
NewsUnbeaten Babar Azam gives Pakistan shot at wrapping up England series
Babar held court throughout the 20 overs and guided his team to 169 for six.