The opening day of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia marked the one-year anniversary of the death of Ben Stokes' father, Ged. Stokes honoured his father by wearing Ged's New Zealand rugby league cap number, 568, on a black armband as he came out to bat.
In his Mirror Sport column ahead of the Test, Stokes reflected on the coincidence of the date. “Call it fate or whatever you like, but there will also be a bit of my mind thinking about my dad Ged and the fact that it will be exactly one year to the day since he passed away,” he wrote. He added that his parents had always been his biggest supporters and that his father would have been proud to see him representing England against Australia.
Stokes also posted an emotional tribute on Instagram on Tuesday. “I wasn’t sure if I would ever walk out onto a field ever again a few months ago,” he wrote. “I find it amazing that when I do walk out tomorrow I’ll be remembering you exactly 1 year on since you left us….You are gonna be with me this whole week.”
The Test was Stokes' first competitive match in four months, after taking a break from cricket to prioritise his mental health and recover from a finger injury. However, the day did not go to plan for England, who were bowled out for 147. Stokes scored just five runs before being caught at slip off Pat Cummins' bowling.
