Ben Stokes father: There is no clarity regarding the English all-rounder’s participation for the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
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England cricket team is currently in South Africa preparing for the first Test of their imminent four-match series. Slated to be played as a Boxing Day Test, the first Test will start from December 26 in Centurion.
Having lost the two-Test series in New Zealand earlier this month, England would be looking to make amends against the Proteas who haven’t been in the best of forms across formats in the last year or so.
The Test will be the first time when South Africa will take the field under their new team management comprising of former wicket-keeper batsman Mark Boucher as head coach, former all-rounder Jacques Kallis as batting consultant and former spinner Phil Jacques as spin consultant.
Ben Stokes father
In the build-up to the Test, the English camp and all-rounder Ben Stokes, in particular, has been hit with an unfortunate news of his father getting admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg.
It is believed that Stokes’ father, Ged, had accompanied his son along with other family members to South Africa. However, a “serious illness” has left him hospitalized.
Stokes is currently attending to his father in Johannesburg and is expected to remain at his bedside today. The English team management will take a call on Stokes’ participation in the first Test in due course of time.
While Stokes didn’t play the first practice match on the tour, he scored 47 runs while batting at No. 5 in the second one. In the 13 overs that Stokes bowled against South Africa A, he conceded 68 runs and dismissed the hosts’ opening batsman Pieter Malan (34).
If the 28-year player missed the Boxing Day Test, it will be interesting to see whom the visitors play in his place for replacing someone of Stokes’ quality can be a daunting task.
