Ben Stokes trains with England as father moves into ‘stable condition’

Ben Stokes trained with England on Christmas Day with his father, Ged, having moved into a “stable condition” in hospital.

Ged was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg on Monday in a “critical condition” but has improved and is now stable, even though he remains in intensive care.

Ben missed England training on Christmas Eve in order to be by his father’s bedside but could now play in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Centurion.

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A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: “He [Ged] remains in intensive care, but has responded positively to treatment and is now in a stable condition.

“England will train at SuperSport Park today 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.”

? @benstokes38 in full flow at training on Christmas Day! ? pic.twitter.com/RSgsa1butl

Speaking on Christmas Eve, England captain Joe Root said: “It puts things in perspective.

“We’re here to play good, hard cricket but it’s important as a squad that we want Ben and his family to have all the support they can get.

“I want to stress the importance of respecting his privacy. What’s most important is we support him and his family. It’s crucial that comes first.”

Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope and Jack Leach are all due to miss Christmas Day training with the illness bug that has swept through the camp.

Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad, like Leach, sat out England’s two warm-up games but now appear to have shaken off the virus ahead of the first Test against the Proteas.

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