Ben Stoke’s father, Gerard Stokes dies after battling for life with brain cancer
Ben Stoke’s father, Gerard Stokes who was the Rugby League Coach in New Zealand, died after a yearlong battle with brain cancer at the age of 65 on Tuesday.
Ged Stokes played rugby league in England in the ’80s and returned as a coach was diagnosed with the disease in January. Ben Stokes, who was born in New Zealand, left the summer Test series of Pakistan in England to be with his father at Christchurch. He played the entire three T20 match from England against South Africa. He rested for ODI series which then postponed due to Coronavirus concerns.
The cricket world immediately shared grief for the best all-rounder in the business.
“All our thoughts are with Ben Stokes and his family following the passing of his father, Ged,”
ECB tweeted.
“We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Ged Stokes. Our thoughts go out to the whole family,”
England’s Barmy Army tweeted.
His county team DCC (Durham County Cricket) tweeted:
“Durham Cricket would like to send our thoughts to Ben Stokes and family following the sad news of the passing of his father, Ged Stokes.”
The English cricketer and journalist, Simon Hughes also grieved:
“What desperately sad news about Ged Stokes. He has been such a tower of strength for Ben Stokes and his family. He is a huge loss to the sporting world.”
Stokes paid tribute to his dad at Port Elizabeth after scoring ninth Test century, when he was in a hospital diagnosing for cancer. He dedicated the century to his dad by saluting him with middle finger folded inside.
He made these same gestures over the past few years to pay tribute to his dad, and this middle finger folded in the sign was to overcome persistent dislocations.
The RFL (Rugby Football League) said on Twitter:
“We are saddened to learn that Ged Stokes has passed away.”
“Ged was a New Zealand international who became a fine servant to the British game with his work in rugby league across Cumbria.”
“The RFL sends its condolences to the Stokes family. Rest in Peace, Ged.”
“It is with great sadness that we learn that our former player and coach Ged Stokes has passed away.”
“Ged is written into the fabric of Town history and will be sadly missed,”
said Workington Rugby League Club.
The England all-rounder plays for Rajasthan Royals and also an essential asset of IPL. RR franchise shared their grief in a tweet:
“RIP Ged Stokes. One of the greatest characters in our special cricket family. We’re with you, Ben. Strength to you and your family.”