Ben Stokes’ father diagnosed with brain cancer

The cancer diagnosis was made on his return to New Zealand.

“They (doctors) had to assess how I travelled and from that they discovered I had a couple of tumours on my brain,” the 64-year-old told the New Zealand Herald.

“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.”

 

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37 days in hospital 3 surgery’s and he’s finally on his way home. You are strong and you are stubborn which is why you are still with us 🙏 I am so proud to be your son. And as for you mam,behind every man is a stronger women you are incredible ❤️❤️❤️ #GedandDeb

A post shared by Ben Stokes (@stokesy) on Jan 29, 2020 at 10:27am PST

Ben, who missed England’s final two Test matches against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton earlier this month, travelled to New Zealand citing family reasons.

“I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really in it,” the 29-year-old England vice-captain told the Herald. “Leaving [the team] was the right choice from a mental point of view.”

“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.”

“Most people acquire a softer side with age and sometimes with dad that has been quite weird to see. 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 added.