England's Ben Stokes reveals anxiety as father battles cancer: "I didn't sleep for a week"

The allrounder admits his attention was elsewhere during the first Test against Pakistan, after which he returned to New Zealand to be with father Ged

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Ben Stokes admits he had no choice but to abandon England's Test series against Pakistan to be with his father, who is suffering from brain cancer.

The 28-year-old left for New Zealand to be with his family and dad Ged as he battles with a condition which he was diagnosed with in January.

Stokes withdrew from the England squad following the three-wicket win over Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford and has revealed he has struggled to sleep during the ordeal.

"I didn't sleep for a week and my head wasn't really in it," England vice-captain Stokes told the Weekend Herald.

"Leaving (the team) was the right choice from a mental point of view."

Ged Stokes, a former New Zealand rugby league player, was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg during England's tour of South Africa and was not permitted to fly home until the new year.

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England's talisman added: "He was tough (on me). 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.

"His reputation sort of speaks for itself. You speak to anyone who knows him, played with him or worked with him, they'd all say the same thing.

"Most people acquire a softer side with age and sometimes with dad that has been quite weird to see.

"What he's going through has brought that side out as well - we all knew he had it, he just didn't show it that often."

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