He missed a crucial practice session for England, as his father was rushed to hospital in Johannesburg.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes is in doubt for the series opener Boxing Day Test of the four-match Test series against South Africa starting on December 26 in Centurion, as his father Gerard Stokes is in a critical condition after being hospitalized on Monday (December 23).
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Stokes will be missing a training session on Tuesday (December 24) with the all-rounder at his bedside in Johannesburg, as his father remains in a critical condition after being hospitalized with a serious illness on Monday.
Ged Stokes, a former New Zealand rugby league international who also played for Workington Town before moving England in 2003 when Ben was 12 to take up a coaching position with Workington in Cumbria, is in South Africa to watch the Test series with the Stokes family.
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The ECB said in a media release, “Ben Stokes's father, Ged, was admitted to hospital on Monday in Johannesburg after suffering a serious illness. He remains in a critical condition.”
The statement further reads: “The all-rounder will not be at England’s training session at SuperSport Park this afternoon so that he can be at his father’s bedside. The England and Wales Cricket Board, with the support of Ben and his family, request that the media and public respect Ben and his family’s privacy at this time.”
Noteworthy, the Three Lions are currently in South Africa for four Tests, three One Day Internationals and as many as T20Is with the tour starting on Thursday.
(With Sky Sports Inputs)