Ben Stokes has rushed to the hospital bedside of his father Ged after he was taken seriously ill on Monday.
Ged, a former international rugby league player and coach, remains in a critical condition after being admitted to hospital on Monday in Johannesburg.
Currently in South Africa with several members of his family to watch Ben play in the Boxing Day and New Year's Tests against the Proteas, the 64-year-old now has his own battle to contend with.
With all his family by his side it is unclear yet whether Ben, who missed training at Centurion today to be with his dad, will now appear in the Test that starts in less than 48 hours.
Nothing is more important to Ben Stokes than family, and the recently crowned BBC Sports Personality of the year may yet miss the Boxing Day Test to remain at his father's side.
In a statement the ECB said: “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.”
Stokes senior played one Test for New Zealand before playing for Workington Town, where he later coached as well as at Whitehaven.
He later returned to his native New Zealand where he now lives and works just outside Christchurch in Canterbury.
