England all-rounder Ben Stokes' father Ged Stokes passed away at the age of 65 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. Workington Town, Ged's former rugby team, announced their player's death on Twitter.

"It is with great sadness that we learn that our former player and coach Ged Stokes has passed away. Ged is written into the rich fabric of Town history and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Deb, Ben and James. Ged still has many, many friends here in West Cumbria and we send our thoughts to them too. RIP Marra," Workington Town condoled Ged's demise. Ben Stokes had revealed early in October that he had dropped out of the Test series against Pakistan to return home and stay with his family as Ged Stokes had been diagnosed with and battling cancer for several months. Ben Stokes was also unavailable for the first few matches of the IPL as he was spending time with his late father. The cricketer is often seen making a unique hand gesture on field with his middle-finger folded as a tribute to Ged Stokes, who had to chop off part of his middle finger so he could continue playing rugby league as he couldn't afford a surgery.

The New Zealand born English all-rounder had earlier opened up about his father's health condition and talked about how he had motivated him to perform better throughout his life. "I was carrying a knee injury in South Africa but I felt my attitude change. What's a sore knee? I can bowl another over or I can bowl another spell. I decided an injury meant very little compared with what Dad was going through. He was hard on me, especially as a teenager -- 17, 18, 19, when you're a bit rebellious -- he was tough. But as I got older I realised it was all for a reason. He knew I wanted to be a professional sportsman and he was drilling that into me as I started to make a career in cricket. I didn't realise it at the time but when I look back I know he was doing it for the right reasons. He used to get me out of bed early to go to the gym with him when I didn't want to ... all that kind of stuff you don't appreciate at the time but looking back now I do," Stokes had stated.

The all-rounder is currently in South Africa with the England squad. Sharing a picture of his father on his Instagram page, Stokes has now written, "In different places now me and you Ged but knowing you'll always have this smile on your face makes me smile every time I think of you. Love you forever and always."

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