England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Tuesday (January 14) penned an emotional 'thank you' message to all the people who prayed for his father, Ged Stokes.
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Stokes’ availability was a big question mark for the Boxing Test against South Africa in Centurion as his father was hospitalized in a critical condition. But thanks to medical staff in Johannesburg, the cricketer’s dad responded positively to treatment and is now on the road to recovery.
Taking to Instagram, Stokes wrote: "Just want to share a bit of love back to everyone after all the love we have all received.
"It has been a very tough few weeks for us all with what has happened to my father Ged He continues to improve day by day but it’s going to be a slow process for him but he’s hard as nails and doesn’t like to give in. On behalf of myself and the whole entire Stokes family we would like to say.
"This is to every single person who has taken time to send such lovely messages on social media..every person who has said that my dad is in their prayers...every person who has offered support in different ways. We are so so so grateful.
"Words can’t really express what this means to us but we all just want to say a massive THANKYOU - the love has been very much needed and very much appreciated. Regards Stokes fam"
Ben Stokes might have failed to make a mark in the series opener in Centurion but he stole the show in the second Test at Newlands. The 28-year-old scored 47 and 72 with the bat before producing a stunning spell of 3/35 on a dead pitch to power England to a famous 189-runs win to level the four-Test series 1-1.
Besides his all-round display in the Cape Town Test, Stokes’ unique celebration after record-breaking Test victory at Newlands caught the attention of many as he was seen posing with a folded middle finger, which was a tribute to his ailing father.
