All-rounder’s dad to leave hospital in SA Cricket

The father of England all-rounder Ben Stokes is leaving hospital in South Africa after being in intensive care.

Christchurch-based Ged Stokes was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg on December 23, but the England star said the family has had some good news.

‘‘Dad is looking like he’s going home at the end of this game. It has put a lot of things in perspective,’’ Stokes told BBC Sport after England completed a 3-1 testseries win against South Africa with a 191-run win in Johannesburg.

‘‘Today has been a brilliant day for the team, and the last couple of days we’ve been given some good news as a family.

‘‘It has been a rollercoaster with everything that has gone on. I hope my old man is in his hospital bed watching this with a big smile on his face,’’ Stokes said.

‘‘I spoke to Dad before the first test and told him I’m playing the game, and he looked at me with the most stupid face and said ‘obviously you are’.

‘‘After losing a test it can feel like the worst thing ever but there are a lot more important things.’’

Stokes told BBC Sport he’d got help to deal with his father’s health woes from the England backroom staff.

‘‘Being away from home, you go through so many emotions, but when something like that hits you, you can get put into a place that you’re not used to,’’ Stokes said. ‘‘But in the modern day and age, people aren’t afraid to speak to others, let off a bit of steam and let them know how they feel.

‘‘I only spoke to two people in confidence about what happened, but I’m pleased I managed to do it because if this happened two or three years ago I would have kept it internal and who knows what would have happened.’’

Stokes was handed a fine and demerit from the International Cricket Council after a foulmouthed altercation with a South African spectator on the first day of the final test, for which he apologised afterwards.