Ben Stokes' father Ged dies after battle with brain cancer

Former rugby league international was diagnosed with the disease in January

England all-rounder Ben Stokes with his parents Gerard Stokes and Deborah in New Zealand in 2017. Getty

Ben Stokes' father Ged Stokes has died after a battle with brain cancer, it was announced on Tuesday.

Stokes, a New Zealand rugby league international who also played rugby in England in the 1980s and returned as a coach, was diagnosed with the disease in January.

The 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."

New Zealand-born Ben Stokes missed most of England's summer Test series in Pakistan after returning to Christchurch to be with his father.

However, he played in all three Twenty20 matches on England's tour of South Africa. He was rested for the one-day internationals, which were scrapped over coronavirus concerns.

Workington rugby league club said in a statement: "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."

Whitehaven also said they were "deeply saddened" by the death of a figure who was "a major part of Cumbrian rugby league".