Stokes used to be granted indefinite compassionate leave by the ECB all through the series towards Pakistan in August and was once in New Zealand for 5 weeks to be with his father who was diagnosed with brain cancer.
He arrived in the UAE last week and is currently under a six-day quarantine, with his participation possibly for Rajasthan Royals' next match against Delhi Capitals on October 9.
Stokes has often cited the influence of his father throughout his playing career, and regularly dedicates his on-field milestones to him with a three-fingered salute, in recognition to the finger amputation that Ged underwent during his days as a professional rugby league player in New Zealand. "My dad was very strong on the responsibilities I have," Stokes added. "He told me I have a duty to do the job that I do and I have a duty as a husband and father as well.
England all rounder Ben Stokes has spoken from managed isolation in New Zealand of his emotional response to news his father Ged has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Stokes has returned to his home town of Christchurch to be with his family and spoke to New Zealand media while spending two weeks in quarantine. New Zealand-born Stokes said he had no choice but to leave the England team during its recent test series against Pakistan after learning of his 64-year-old father’s diagnosis. “I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really in it,” Stokes told the Weekend Herald Saturday. “Leaving was the right choice from a mental point of view.”
I didn't know what dad wanted, I didn't know what mum wanted so to start that conversation off was the hardest thing of all. And then mum made it simple, she said: 'The time you are spending here now with your dad is so much more important than the time you will spend when the worst happens.'
"That is a tough thing to hear, but when it comes from your mum and your dad is reinforcing that message, then it makes things a lot easier to deal with."
"My dad was also very strong on the responsibilities I have. He told me I have a duty to do the job that I do and I have a duty as a husband and father as well. We gave it all a lot of thought and talked it over at length, and we came to a decision that now sees me back focusing on the game," said Stokes.
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