Ben Stokes’ father Ged is rushed to hospital in a ‘critical condition’

BREAKING NEWS: Ben Stokes’ father Ged is rushed to hospital in a ‘critical condition’ after falling seriously ill on England’s tour of South Africa

  • Ben Stokes’ father Ged is in a ‘critical condition’ after being rushed to hospital
  • Ex-rugby league player Ged is in South Africa to watch son play on Boxing Day
  • Stokes Sr is in a critical condition and Ben left training to be at his father’s side
  • England star’s participation in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion is now in doubt

England’s preparations for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa were thrown into turmoil here today when Ben Stokes father Ged suffered a serious illness.

Ged Stokes had travelled to South Africa with his wife and other members of their family from his home in New Zealand to spend Christmas with Ben, his wife and their children and to watch the first of four tests here at SuperSport Park.

But those plans were thrown into disarray when Stokes senior was taken ill during last night and was immediately rushed to a hospital near England’s base in Sandton near Johannesburg.

Ged Stokes (right) with England star Ben and wife Deborah in 2017 – he has been taken ill

Stokes senior was said to be in a ‘critical’ condition in a statement released by the ECB ahead of their final training session in Centurion before this series.

Ben Stokes will not be at that training session as he has rushed to hospital to be at his father’s bedside along with other members of the Stokes family. His participation in the first Test against South Africa must now be in serious doubt.

The ECB said in a statement today: ‘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.’

It is a terribly sad news at the end of the most successful year of Ben Stokes career. He famously led England to victory in the World Cup final and then with his extraordinary performance to win the Headingley Test against Australia.

Those unprecedented feats in English cricket led to Stokes becoming the overwhelming winner of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award. Only last Sunday he was in Aberdeen to collect his trophy before flying to South Africa to join the side.

Stokes senior was said to be in a ‘critical’ condition after being rushed to hospital

Stokes senior was said to be in a ‘critical’ condition after being rushed to hospital 

Stokes is very close to his family and his father has been a pivotal figure in his career and his recovery from the events in Bristol two years ago that cast such a serious cloud over his career. Stojes junior was charged with causing affray after being caught up in a brawl but was found not guilty and has impressively rebuilt his career since.

Ged Stokes is a former rugby league professional and coach and it was his career that brought the family to Cumbria before Ben was born and ensured his son would become an England superstar rather than one for New Zealand.

Stokes senior is a formidable figure renowned for his toughness and he had the full support today of an England tour party enlarged by a number of families who have travelled to South Africa for Christmas. They were all hoping that the legendary toughness will help him now when he needs it most.

That camp were said to be in total shock today at the terrible family news for one of the most popular members of the England squad.

The news totally overshadowed preparations for the Test but the rest of the squad were still planning to train this morning. Jonny Bairstow would be the player most likely to come into the England side on Boxing Day if Stokes is unable to play but that is the last thing on the minds of the England squad right now.

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