ENG vs SA: Stokes Returns To Practice Ahead Of Boxing Day Test

Stokes had to miss Tuesday’s nets as his father Ged was hospitalised the day before due to a “serious illness”

Ben Stokes returned to England’s practice session after the condition of his critically sick father improved on Wednesday. The all-rounder had to miss Tuesday’s nets as his father Ged was hospitalised the day before due to a “serious illness”. “He remains in intensive care, but has responded positively to treatment and is now in a stable condition. The Stokes family wishes to thank everyone for their support and in particular the medical practitioners in South Africa for their care of Ged,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement. The practice went ahead on Christmas morning but three of the English players – Jack Leach, Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes. All three of them have been hit by the flu bug since they landed in South Africa 11 days ago. However, none of them has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test or the entire series stated the ECB. The flu bug hit the visitors soon after their arrival. As a result, pacers Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad had to miss the two warm-up games but now racing to be fit to play on Thursday. “It’s quite frustrating. We have to handle it. We’ll have to wait and see. We’ll make a very late call on our side,” England skipper Joe Root said on Tuesday. The first Test between South Africa and England begins at the Supersport Park in Centurion on Thursday.