Ben Stokes had a memorable return to international cricket at home as he was named Man of the Match against New Zealand at Lord’s. However, very few people know that Stokes was born in New Zealand. His father Ged, still jokes that he tells his son that he would be rooting for New Zealand over England.
Ben moved to England with his family when he was 12. Since then, he has played for English sides such as the Under 15 Team and so on.
Ged, was proud of his son’s achievements and praised him for his performance at the Lord’s. He said, “He’s had a natural talent for cricket ever since he first picked a bat up and could straight drive when he still had nappies on.”
“I used to throw balls at him down the hallway and he wouldn’t hit the walls, he’d straight drive back past me. He’d drive our friends and relations mad when they came round because all he wanted to do was play cricket in the yard. He has always wanted to show people he has a skill and that’s cool.”
Ged went on to say, “I have always said I’ll support Ben in every team he plays but when he’s playing New Zealand he understands we’ll support New Zealand. We keep reminding him there is 100 per cent New Zealand blood in his body.”
Ben’s father also said that he was impressed by the way his son made a comeback in the team after he was dropped in 2014 due to poor form. “The way he’s conducted himself over the last year is a real tribute to him. He was very disappointed not to make the World Cup but he understood why he was left out because of the form he was in. He just put his head down and worked hard.” concluded Ged.