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Ben Stokes attacks The Sun with explosive statement over family tragedy story
- Thread starter Markhor
- Start date
As bad as yesterday’s Guardian, in which they claimed that a Tory PM only had “privileged pain” when his disabled son died.
Rana
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Ben Stokes and family should sue the Sun until it is bankrupt.
Worst piece of journalism I have ever come across
Worst piece of journalism I have ever come across
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England cricket hero Ben Stokes has described The Sun as "immoral and heartless" after the newspaper printed a story about a family tragedy 31 years ago.
The all-rounder, who was key to England winning the Cricket World Cup in July, posted a statement on Twitter after the article featured in the tabloid on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for The Sun has said the paper has "the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother" but the story is a "matter of public record" that was supplied by a "family member".
The spokesperson added that the tabloid contacted Stokes prior to publication and "at no stage" did he ask them not to run the story.
England cricket captain Joe Root retweeted Stokes' statement and urged social media users to "take the time to read this and respect it".
The England cricket team's official Twitter account posted a heart emoji along with a photograph of Stokes after the cricketer shared his statement.
Stokes wrote: "Today The Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details about events in the private lives of my family going back 31 years.
"It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism.
"I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family.
"For more than three decades, my family has worked hard to deal with the private trauma inevitably associated with these events and has taken great care to keep private what were deeply personal and traumatic events.
"On Saturday, The Sun sent a 'reporter' to my parents' home in New Zealand to question them, out of the blue, on this incredibly upsetting topic.
"If that wasn't bad enough, The Sun think it is acceptable to sensationalise our personal tragedy for their front page.
"To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of - in particular - my parents, is utterly disgusting.
"I am aware that my public profile brings with it consequences for me that I accept entirely.
"But I will not allow my public profile to be used as an excuse to invade the rights of my parents, my wife, my children or other family members.
"They are entitled to a private life of their own.
"The decision to publish these details has grave and lifelong consequences for my mum in particular.
"This is the lowest form of journalism, focused only on chasing sales with absolutely no regard for the devastation caused to lives as a consequence.
"It is totally out of order.
"The article also contains serious inaccuracies which has compounded the damaged caused.
"We need to take a serious look at how we allow our press to behave.
"Despite the fact that this has now been made public, I do please ask all concerned to respect my family's privacy and right to home life."
The Sun said in a statement: "The Sun has the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother but it is only right to point out the story was told with the co-operation of a family member who supplied details, provided photographs and posed for pictures.
"The tragedy is also a matter of public record and was the subject of extensive front page publicity in New Zealand at the time.
"The Sun has huge admiration for Ben Stokes and we were delighted to celebrate his sporting heroics this summer. He was contacted prior to publication and at no stage did he or his representatives ask us not to publish the story."
Stokes had a busy summer with the England cricket team after batting the side to World Cup glory against New Zealand in July.
Weeks later he helped England pull off a once-in-a-generation comeback to beat Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
Australia captain Tim Paine called Stokes' 135 not out the "best test innings I've seen".
https://news.sky.com/story/ben-stok...-statement-over-family-tragedy-story-11811986
The all-rounder, who was key to England winning the Cricket World Cup in July, posted a statement on Twitter after the article featured in the tabloid on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for The Sun has said the paper has "the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother" but the story is a "matter of public record" that was supplied by a "family member".
The spokesperson added that the tabloid contacted Stokes prior to publication and "at no stage" did he ask them not to run the story.
England cricket captain Joe Root retweeted Stokes' statement and urged social media users to "take the time to read this and respect it".
The England cricket team's official Twitter account posted a heart emoji along with a photograph of Stokes after the cricketer shared his statement.
Stokes wrote: "Today The Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details about events in the private lives of my family going back 31 years.
"It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism.
"I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family.
"For more than three decades, my family has worked hard to deal with the private trauma inevitably associated with these events and has taken great care to keep private what were deeply personal and traumatic events.
"On Saturday, The Sun sent a 'reporter' to my parents' home in New Zealand to question them, out of the blue, on this incredibly upsetting topic.
"If that wasn't bad enough, The Sun think it is acceptable to sensationalise our personal tragedy for their front page.
"To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of - in particular - my parents, is utterly disgusting.
"I am aware that my public profile brings with it consequences for me that I accept entirely.
"But I will not allow my public profile to be used as an excuse to invade the rights of my parents, my wife, my children or other family members.
"They are entitled to a private life of their own.
"The decision to publish these details has grave and lifelong consequences for my mum in particular.
"This is the lowest form of journalism, focused only on chasing sales with absolutely no regard for the devastation caused to lives as a consequence.
"It is totally out of order.
"The article also contains serious inaccuracies which has compounded the damaged caused.
"We need to take a serious look at how we allow our press to behave.
"Despite the fact that this has now been made public, I do please ask all concerned to respect my family's privacy and right to home life."
The Sun said in a statement: "The Sun has the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother but it is only right to point out the story was told with the co-operation of a family member who supplied details, provided photographs and posed for pictures.
"The tragedy is also a matter of public record and was the subject of extensive front page publicity in New Zealand at the time.
"The Sun has huge admiration for Ben Stokes and we were delighted to celebrate his sporting heroics this summer. He was contacted prior to publication and at no stage did he or his representatives ask us not to publish the story."
Stokes had a busy summer with the England cricket team after batting the side to World Cup glory against New Zealand in July.
Weeks later he helped England pull off a once-in-a-generation comeback to beat Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
Australia captain Tim Paine called Stokes' 135 not out the "best test innings I've seen".
https://news.sky.com/story/ben-stok...-statement-over-family-tragedy-story-11811986
Abdullah719
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Oh thank you for that. Stokes has every right to be livid.
I have very mixed feelings about this.
One of the outstanding things about the UK is the absolute fearlessness of the press - a person with a private life like Boris Johnson is elected or not elected by a public that knows all about his private behavior.
I think that that is a good thing.
Unfortunately it means that a public figure's personal tragedy - whether it is the disability and death of PM David Cameron's son, or this Stokes story - becomes public knowledge. In practice, it only increases the esteem that such people are held in. Everyone I know (on both sides) thinks that Cameron was a fool for calling the Brexit referendum, but being reminded by The Guardian two days ago of his grief at his son's death only enhances his standing.
Perhaps the best example is Margaret Thatcher's favourite cabinet minister, Cecil Parkinson. The married Parkinson impregnated his secretary Sara Keays, then tried to conceal the story as a "private matter". The child, named Flora, turned out to be disabled and after an initial payment was cut off and treated completely differently - and worse - than his "legitimate" children.
When Parkinson died, in a country with a muzzled media "which respects privacy" he would have been lionized on the basis of his political actions. But thankfully the media does not respect any such privacy, and the story of how he discarded and deprived his daughter of money came back to rightfully trash his reputation once and for all, and also destroyed the reputations of his wife and other kids who had led his appalling behavior.
I am very sorry for Ben Stokes and especially for his poor mother.
But British-style press freedom is important, because it is our insurance policy against corruption and misconduct by public figures.
One of the outstanding things about the UK is the absolute fearlessness of the press - a person with a private life like Boris Johnson is elected or not elected by a public that knows all about his private behavior.
I think that that is a good thing.
Unfortunately it means that a public figure's personal tragedy - whether it is the disability and death of PM David Cameron's son, or this Stokes story - becomes public knowledge. In practice, it only increases the esteem that such people are held in. Everyone I know (on both sides) thinks that Cameron was a fool for calling the Brexit referendum, but being reminded by The Guardian two days ago of his grief at his son's death only enhances his standing.
Perhaps the best example is Margaret Thatcher's favourite cabinet minister, Cecil Parkinson. The married Parkinson impregnated his secretary Sara Keays, then tried to conceal the story as a "private matter". The child, named Flora, turned out to be disabled and after an initial payment was cut off and treated completely differently - and worse - than his "legitimate" children.
When Parkinson died, in a country with a muzzled media "which respects privacy" he would have been lionized on the basis of his political actions. But thankfully the media does not respect any such privacy, and the story of how he discarded and deprived his daughter of money came back to rightfully trash his reputation once and for all, and also destroyed the reputations of his wife and other kids who had led his appalling behavior.
I am very sorry for Ben Stokes and especially for his poor mother.
But British-style press freedom is important, because it is our insurance policy against corruption and misconduct by public figures.
JattMaula
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Uncovering the truth and publishing a sensational story about a cruel personal tragedy which only punishes the victims is different.
What does the society earn from this information? This will only uncover the wounds of a mother.
sweep_shot
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Privacy should always be respected. Journalists often cross the line.
Stokes should file lawsuit.
Stokes should file lawsuit.
It’s the price of freedom of the press and a fearless media.
Stokes’ mother lives in New Zealand, and so this doesn’t directly impact upon her.
I’m very sorry for the intrusion into her privacy, but I just think that the press needs to have complete freedom to report on people’s private lives. The American people should have known about the proclivities or Roosevelt and J Edgar Hoover and the Libyan people should have known about Gaddafi’s predatory behaviour.
And yes, it’s good that we learned about John Terry’s private life and were able to expel him from the national team.
This is not America with Trump’s threats to sue.
What is he going to file a lawsuit for? To complain that The Sun printed a truthful story?
HappyWarsFan
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I cannot believe you are actually defending this joke of paper the Sun. And that you don't think that exposing very traumatic parts of Stokes private life is all OK. It's not. If he doesn't want it to be shown thats his choice.
I don’t like it, but these are events which were already in the public domain in the country where it happened.
I don’t believe in privacy for public figures, except for their children. To me it is essential that the media reports what public figures get up to, so that with politicians and public servants in particular the public can hold them accountable. If the media in the Middle East reported like The Sun does I think you would have very different societies there.
Unfortunately, once you accept the idea of adults in the public eye having no entitlement to privacy then sportsmen end up subject to the same scrutiny as politicians. I don’t see how that can be avoided.
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ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison's statement regarding Ben Stokes.
17 September 2019
Tom Harrison comments on The Sun's intrusive story on Ben Stokes's and his family's history
Exterior view of the ECB offices
“We, like the wider sporting world, are disgusted and appalled at the actions taken in revealing the tragic events from Ben’s past.
“We are saddened that an intrusion of this magnitude was deemed necessary in order to sell newspapers or secure clicks.
“Ben’s exploits this summer have cemented his place in cricket’s history – we are sure the whole sport, and the country, stands behind him in support.”
https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/men/n...tory-on-ben-stokes-s-and-his-family-s-history
17 September 2019
Tom Harrison comments on The Sun's intrusive story on Ben Stokes's and his family's history
Exterior view of the ECB offices
“We, like the wider sporting world, are disgusted and appalled at the actions taken in revealing the tragic events from Ben’s past.
“We are saddened that an intrusion of this magnitude was deemed necessary in order to sell newspapers or secure clicks.
“Ben’s exploits this summer have cemented his place in cricket’s history – we are sure the whole sport, and the country, stands behind him in support.”
https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/men/n...tory-on-ben-stokes-s-and-his-family-s-history
Robert
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You can’t sue a newspaper for telling the truth.
However I would argue that this story is not in the public interest and therefore should not have been printed.
Alas I completely agree.
Except, is it a requirement that news that is true must pass a test of being in the public interest?
How is it in the public interest for me to have to read about Katie Price’s latest surgery or Kerry Katona’s latest boyfriend?
These things get published and read because they titillate the public. Same as the awful Ben Stokes story.
I feel awful for what happened and my heart goes out to all involved.
But the only news story that I have seen cross a red line this week was The Guardian accusing David Cameron of not caring about his dead son because he is too privileged.
sweep_shot
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It may be legally right but absolutely horrendous morally and ethically.
Stokes has every reason to be annoyed.
Stokes has every reason to be annoyed.
She had a reporter on her doorstep trying to question her about her murdered children, I think that impacts upon her.
Robert
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Price and Katona need the press attention to stay in the public eye to continue to make money.
The Stokes story benefits nobody.
Similarly the Cameron story shows contempt for a father’s grief. The politics of envy at its worst.
Rana
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He can file for unlawful harassment and violation of privacy.
Those aren’t crimes in the UK!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sympathetic to Stokes’ situation. But this reminds me of the Not The Nine’O Clock News sketch about Mr Winston Codogo.
You can’t sue someone for violation of privacy when privacy is not protected by law.
And it’s not unlawful harassment to run an article about a decades old news story.
SensiblePakFan
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Its the price of fame, learn to live with it. Especially in this digital age. They are facts.
Titan24
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Unethical journalism by Sun like on many previous occasions. Ben Stokes is saying there are also inaccuracies in the story and based upon those Sun can be taken to court. While doing unethical journalism is allowed, giving inaccurate facts about someone's life definitely isnt.
Joseph Gomes
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It's not really private though, this is old news dug up for clicks. It's not like they put hidden camera inside Stokes bedroom.
I hate the article for being insanely insensitive and trashy, but Stokes is a celebrity and had a controversial life. Media will try to exploit it legally as much as possible.
I had no idea that the deceased were Stokes’ brother and sister, but I remember the story because it was still commonly spoken about when I moved to Christchurch five years later.
There is no substantive error in what The Sun published: it exactly matches the NZ media reporting of events at the time.
Funnily enough, today just proves the old adage that yesterday’s newspaper is tomorrow’s fish and chip wrapping paper.
Today The Sun is focusing on the tragic premature death of Fernando Ricksen, and they are covering it in an incredibly classy and respectful way.
The awful Stokes story is now just yesterday’s news.
szundercover
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Truly despicable from sun.Looks like the british media is following the footsteps of pakistani and indian media.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] - surely you see the distinction between an elected official whose personal behaviour may impact the public policies he's implementing, and doorstepping the relatives of a sportsman to rake up a family tragedy ?
Stokes said he wouldn't care if he himself was the subject of a story - he's put himself out in the public domain as an international cricketer. The Bristol incident for instance totally merited scrutiny. But his family did not.
No freedom is absolute. The right to a free press comes with responsibilities and papers like The Sun continually fail to live up to them. Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas recently came out as HIV positive ? Why ? Because The Sun newspaper blackmailed him by threatening to publish the story first and doorstepped his parents house !
The guy who wrote the Stokes story, Nick Parker, is a convicted criminal phone hacker who they allowed back to work ! IPSO can go after The Sun for violating the Editor's Code. But they won't because our regulators are in hock to these media tycoons.
Maybe we should drag up your family history for all to read and see whether you'd have a similar sanguine response.
Stokes said he wouldn't care if he himself was the subject of a story - he's put himself out in the public domain as an international cricketer. The Bristol incident for instance totally merited scrutiny. But his family did not.
No freedom is absolute. The right to a free press comes with responsibilities and papers like The Sun continually fail to live up to them. Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas recently came out as HIV positive ? Why ? Because The Sun newspaper blackmailed him by threatening to publish the story first and doorstepped his parents house !
The guy who wrote the Stokes story, Nick Parker, is a convicted criminal phone hacker who they allowed back to work ! IPSO can go after The Sun for violating the Editor's Code. But they won't because our regulators are in hock to these media tycoons.
Actually it appears there are inaccuracies. The Sun are fake news personified. They have a history of using blackmail and phone tapping in getting these salacious stories.
Maybe we should drag up your family history for all to read and see whether you'd have a similar sanguine response.
Joseph Gomes
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It's still trashy. Nowhere near illegal though.
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England's management team has reiterated support for Ben Stokes following allegations of a physical altercation with his wife.
Pictures published on Tuesday appeared to show Stokes with his hand on wife Clare's face at an awards ceremony.
Managing director Ashley Giles said: "I've spoken to both Ben and Clare, for me there was nothing in that incident."
And in his first news conference as coach, Chris Silverwood described Stokes as "a leader within the group".
All-rounder Stokes, 28, was named Professional Cricketers' Association player of the year at the ceremony in London, after playing a pivotal role as England won the World Cup for the first time, then hitting a magnificent unbeaten 135 to win an extraordinary Headingley Test match in the Ashes.
Photographs published on the Guido Fawkes website showed the England player with his hand on his wife's face at the event at the Roundhouse in Camden on 2 October.
Stokes later insisted it was "so far removed from what it was", while his wife wrote on Twitter that "nonsense" allegations had been made into a "crazy story".
Asked about the incident, Giles said at Thursday's news conference: "A picture tells a thousand words, unfortunately they are not always the right ones.
"Ben remains someone who has done a lot for English cricket this year and someone who has turned his life around in two years, so we can continue to support him," Giles told BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.
In August last year, Stokes was found not guilty of affray following a fight near a Bristol nightclub in September 2017.
Of the awards ceremony controversy, Silverwood told Agnew: "Ben and I have got a great relationship and I'm looking forward to working with him moving forward.
"He is a leader within that group and what we have seen this summer has been inspirational."
Earlier this week, when the allegations first surfaced, the England and Wales Cricket Board said it was satisfied there was an "innocent context" to the images.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50006930
Pictures published on Tuesday appeared to show Stokes with his hand on wife Clare's face at an awards ceremony.
Managing director Ashley Giles said: "I've spoken to both Ben and Clare, for me there was nothing in that incident."
And in his first news conference as coach, Chris Silverwood described Stokes as "a leader within the group".
All-rounder Stokes, 28, was named Professional Cricketers' Association player of the year at the ceremony in London, after playing a pivotal role as England won the World Cup for the first time, then hitting a magnificent unbeaten 135 to win an extraordinary Headingley Test match in the Ashes.
Photographs published on the Guido Fawkes website showed the England player with his hand on his wife's face at the event at the Roundhouse in Camden on 2 October.
Stokes later insisted it was "so far removed from what it was", while his wife wrote on Twitter that "nonsense" allegations had been made into a "crazy story".
Asked about the incident, Giles said at Thursday's news conference: "A picture tells a thousand words, unfortunately they are not always the right ones.
"Ben remains someone who has done a lot for English cricket this year and someone who has turned his life around in two years, so we can continue to support him," Giles told BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.
In August last year, Stokes was found not guilty of affray following a fight near a Bristol nightclub in September 2017.
Of the awards ceremony controversy, Silverwood told Agnew: "Ben and I have got a great relationship and I'm looking forward to working with him moving forward.
"He is a leader within that group and what we have seen this summer has been inspirational."
Earlier this week, when the allegations first surfaced, the England and Wales Cricket Board said it was satisfied there was an "innocent context" to the images.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50006930
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Ben Stokes’s father, Ged, was admitted to hospital on Monday in Johannesburg after suffering a serious illness. He remains in a critical condition.
The all-rounder will not be at England’s training session at SuperSport Park this afternoon so that he can be at his father’s bedside.
The England and Wales Cricket Board, with the support of Ben and his family, request that the media and public respect Ben and his family’s privacy at this time.
The all-rounder will not be at England’s training session at SuperSport Park this afternoon so that he can be at his father’s bedside.
The England and Wales Cricket Board, with the support of Ben and his family, request that the media and public respect Ben and his family’s privacy at this time.
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England must make Ben Stokes' mental wellbeing their priority even if that means he sits out the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, says Nasser Hussain.
Stokes missed training on Tuesday in order to be at the bedside of his father Ged, who is in a "critical condition" in a Johannesburg hospital after being taken ill on Monday.
Hussain told Sky Sports that even if the all-rounder wants to play at Centurion that the decision may need to be taken out his hands.
The camp will be very concerned about Ben Stokes. Ben is a very popular member of the side and not having Ben here means everyone will be thinking about him so it will be very difficult to switch on and concentrate.
"It has to be the individual's decision to a degree but in what other walk of life would you have your dad in hospital in a critical situation and come into work, even if he wants to come in?" said Hussain.
"I think we have to look after our cricketers who have already travelled halfway around the world to come here. The mental wellbeing of Stokes is absolutely paramount.
"Ben wants to play all the time and do everything - bat, bowl, field, Super Over, Headingley, everything. But at some point you have to think 'is it right?'
"Then, what if - and we hope this doesn't happen - Ben's dad deteriorates during the game? Ben will want to go away and that is going to cause problems. You have to err on the side of caution and look after that asset."
Stokes was joined in missing training by fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes, who has become the latest in a string of players to have been hit by illness on England's tour so far.
Seamers Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer and spinner Jack Leach sat out both warm-up games with a virus and with James Anderson only recently over a calf injury, Hussain says England cannot risk going into the Centurion Test with only four bowlers.
The Sky Cricket expert wants the tourists to select a spinner - Matt Parkinson and Dom Bess are options if Leach remains sidelined - but expects them to go in with an all-pace attack on a speedy surface.
"If Stokes isn't around, I wouldn't just play the extra batsman in Jonny Bairstow and go to four bowlers," added Hussain ahead of the first Test, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7am Boxing Day.
"One reason is because it is hot, while we are also at altitude and that takes it out of you, you are digging deep.
"You also have a bowler coming back from injury in Anderson, then you've got Broad and Archer who are coming back from ill health, so that his not a four-man attack you want to be going in with.
"I would definitely have five bowlers and definitely have a spinner as I would be thinking about the second innings but I don't think England will have a spinner. I think they will go in with five seamers.
"What brings England into this series is that even though it is the Kookaburra ball, it does a bit here. It goes through and the pitches are quicker, so it will be so different to what they faced in New Zealand [in a two-match series they lost 1-0].
Athers believes the return of some South Africa legends to the management and coaching staff will take the pressure off captain Faf du Plessis.
"England have to be prepared for Kagiso Rabada to come steaming in on a hard, green pitch where the ball will whizz through.
"They are going to have to weather that storm, as there will be periods where it does a lot and then goes very flat. England need to read the situation, suck it up and then cash in when it gets flat."
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...important-than-first-test-says-nasser-hussain
Stokes missed training on Tuesday in order to be at the bedside of his father Ged, who is in a "critical condition" in a Johannesburg hospital after being taken ill on Monday.
Hussain told Sky Sports that even if the all-rounder wants to play at Centurion that the decision may need to be taken out his hands.
The camp will be very concerned about Ben Stokes. Ben is a very popular member of the side and not having Ben here means everyone will be thinking about him so it will be very difficult to switch on and concentrate.
"It has to be the individual's decision to a degree but in what other walk of life would you have your dad in hospital in a critical situation and come into work, even if he wants to come in?" said Hussain.
"I think we have to look after our cricketers who have already travelled halfway around the world to come here. The mental wellbeing of Stokes is absolutely paramount.
"Ben wants to play all the time and do everything - bat, bowl, field, Super Over, Headingley, everything. But at some point you have to think 'is it right?'
"Then, what if - and we hope this doesn't happen - Ben's dad deteriorates during the game? Ben will want to go away and that is going to cause problems. You have to err on the side of caution and look after that asset."
Stokes was joined in missing training by fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes, who has become the latest in a string of players to have been hit by illness on England's tour so far.
Seamers Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer and spinner Jack Leach sat out both warm-up games with a virus and with James Anderson only recently over a calf injury, Hussain says England cannot risk going into the Centurion Test with only four bowlers.
The Sky Cricket expert wants the tourists to select a spinner - Matt Parkinson and Dom Bess are options if Leach remains sidelined - but expects them to go in with an all-pace attack on a speedy surface.
"If Stokes isn't around, I wouldn't just play the extra batsman in Jonny Bairstow and go to four bowlers," added Hussain ahead of the first Test, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7am Boxing Day.
"One reason is because it is hot, while we are also at altitude and that takes it out of you, you are digging deep.
"You also have a bowler coming back from injury in Anderson, then you've got Broad and Archer who are coming back from ill health, so that his not a four-man attack you want to be going in with.
"I would definitely have five bowlers and definitely have a spinner as I would be thinking about the second innings but I don't think England will have a spinner. I think they will go in with five seamers.
"What brings England into this series is that even though it is the Kookaburra ball, it does a bit here. It goes through and the pitches are quicker, so it will be so different to what they faced in New Zealand [in a two-match series they lost 1-0].
Athers believes the return of some South Africa legends to the management and coaching staff will take the pressure off captain Faf du Plessis.
"England have to be prepared for Kagiso Rabada to come steaming in on a hard, green pitch where the ball will whizz through.
"They are going to have to weather that storm, as there will be periods where it does a lot and then goes very flat. England need to read the situation, suck it up and then cash in when it gets flat."
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...important-than-first-test-says-nasser-hussain
Cpt. Rishwat
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It won't. Today's society is set up for publications like this to flourish. This is how they make their living.
Abdullah719
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Statement - Ben Stokes Update
Ben Stokes’s father, Ged, has shown signs of improvement following his admittance to hospital in Johannesburg on Monday.
He remains in intensive care, but has responded positively to treatment and is now in a stable condition.
England will train at SuperSport Park today (Christmas Day morning) and Ben is expected to play a full part in the practice ahead of the first Test starting on Boxing Day.
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 continues to request that the media and public respect Ben and his family’s privacy at this time.
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England all-rounder Ben Stokes' father has left intensive care in hospital in Johannesburg.
Ged, 64, was in a critical condition after being admitted with a serious illness on 23 December.
Stokes, 28, missed training with England the following day to be at his father's bedside.
Stokes played in the 107-run defeat by South Africa in the first Test in Centurion, scoring 35 and 14 and taking 2-22 in the second innings.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50935416
Ged, 64, was in a critical condition after being admitted with a serious illness on 23 December.
Stokes, 28, missed training with England the following day to be at his father's bedside.
Stokes played in the 107-run defeat by South Africa in the first Test in Centurion, scoring 35 and 14 and taking 2-22 in the second innings.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50935416
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Ben Stokes says he would trade everything he achieved in his World Cup-winning year to see his dad "happy and healthy".
Stokes' father Ged, 64, spent Christmas in intensive care in a South African hospital after becoming ill days after arriving in the country to watch his son play in the four-Test series.
"To see out the year with my dad in hospital has put things into perspective," Stokes, who spent Christmas Eve at his father's bedside, wrote in the Mirror.
"At the end of the most memorable of years I am finding it quite hard to sum up 2019 right now. There have been some unbelievable highs and some real lows."
Stokes, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours list and voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December, added: "If someone could say, 'I'll take everything away from you that happened last summer, but your dad is happy, healthy and watching you play cricket', then I'd say, 'Yeah, swap it'."
The Durham all-rounder played a key part in England's World Cup victory and scored an incredible match-winning century in the Ashes Test at Headingley.
Stokes Sr has "got a way to go" according to his son, who is currently in Cape Town with England as they prepare for the second Test which starts on Friday aiming to bounce back from a heavy loss in the series opener in Centurion.
"Thankfully where he is now to where he was when he went in has been an unbelievable turnaround," Stokes said.
"If there is a positive to take it is that we were all together to get through it as a family.
"The idea was for the family to spend Christmas together because we hadn't done that for seven years and it may have been in a hospital room but we were all together."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50964381
Stokes' father Ged, 64, spent Christmas in intensive care in a South African hospital after becoming ill days after arriving in the country to watch his son play in the four-Test series.
"To see out the year with my dad in hospital has put things into perspective," Stokes, who spent Christmas Eve at his father's bedside, wrote in the Mirror.
"At the end of the most memorable of years I am finding it quite hard to sum up 2019 right now. There have been some unbelievable highs and some real lows."
Stokes, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours list and voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December, added: "If someone could say, 'I'll take everything away from you that happened last summer, but your dad is happy, healthy and watching you play cricket', then I'd say, 'Yeah, swap it'."
The Durham all-rounder played a key part in England's World Cup victory and scored an incredible match-winning century in the Ashes Test at Headingley.
Stokes Sr has "got a way to go" according to his son, who is currently in Cape Town with England as they prepare for the second Test which starts on Friday aiming to bounce back from a heavy loss in the series opener in Centurion.
"Thankfully where he is now to where he was when he went in has been an unbelievable turnaround," Stokes said.
"If there is a positive to take it is that we were all together to get through it as a family.
"The idea was for the family to spend Christmas together because we hadn't done that for seven years and it may have been in a hospital room but we were all together."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50964381
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Interesting case. The Sun paid damages even though it didn't have to because they were quoting New Zealand papers from the time the terrible events happened.
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