Benjamin Andrew Stokes, born on June 4, 1991, originally hails from Christchurch, New Zealand. He is the son of Gerard Stokes, a well-known rugby league footballer and coach, often referred to as ‘Ged.’ Additionally, Stokes has Māori ancestry.
Stokes embarked on a new chapter in his life when he relocated to England at the age of 12. This move came about because his father, Gerard, assumed the role of head coach for the Workington Town Rugby League club. He spent his formative years in the quaint West Cumbrian town of Cockermouth. During this time, he attended Cockermouth School and actively participated in cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club.
Stokes made the decision to leave his state school at the age of 16, having achieved just one GCSE qualification, which was in physical education. An early highlight in his cricketing journey was winning the North Lancashire & Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division Title with Cockermouth Cricket Club at the age of 15 in 2006.
Subsequently, Stokes’ parents returned to New Zealand, settling back in Christchurch.
Ben Stokes Tragic Family Story
A story published by the British tabloid ‘Sun’ about Ben Stokes’ family in New Zealand, predating the birth of the future England all-rounder, has stirred controversy within the country’s cricket establishment. The World Cup and Ashes star has strongly criticized the story as “immoral” and “despicable,” garnering support from teammates such as Joe Root, former captain Michael Vaughan, and the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Tom Harrison.
The ‘Sun’ story recounts a tragic incident involving Richard Dunn, the ex-husband of Ben’s mother, Debbie. In 1988, three years before Ben’s birth, Dunn fatally shot their daughter Tracey, aged eight, and Andrew, aged four, before taking his own life. This occurred amid a backdrop of unemployment and a broken relationship between Dunn and Debbie, who was in a relationship with rugby coach Gerard Stokes, Ben’s biological father. The report suggested that Dunn’s actions were driven by jealousy.
A family source mentioned that after the tragedy, Debbie found “something to live for” with the birth of Ben. The report includes statements from Jacqui Dunn, Dunn’s daughter from a previous marriage, expressing shock and distress over her father’s actions and her subsequent disconnection from Debbie. She also revealed her lack of knowledge about Debbie having another son who would later become an England cricket star.
Debbie and Gerard relocated to the UK with Ben when he was 12, following Gerard’s employment with Workington Town rugby league club in Cumbria, as mentioned in the report.
Ben Stokes took to Twitter to express his outrage at the ‘Sun’ for publishing such deeply personal and painful details about his family, extending over 31 years. He condemned the story as “the lowest form of journalism” and accused the newspaper of invading the privacy of his parents and family. Stokes also asserted that the ‘Sun’ sent a reporter to his parents’ New Zealand home without warning, catching them off guard.
The tabloid stated that it had the cooperation of a family member who provided details and posed for pictures. While expressing sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother, the ‘Sun’ emphasized that the tragedy was a matter of public record and had been widely reported in New Zealand at the time. The cricketer contended that the article contained “serious inaccuracies” and affirmed his commitment to protecting the privacy of his family members.
Ben Stokes Wife & Kids
Clare Ratcliffe and Ben Stokes shared a committed live-in relationship for an extended period before they made the decision to formalize their union. Prior to their marriage, they had already welcomed a son named Layton in 2012. The turning point in their relationship came in 2013 when Clare’s father, Arthur Ratcliffe, passed away. This significant event prompted Ben Stokes to take on the role of a responsible partner and propose to the mother of their child. They remained engaged for four years before exchanging vows on the 14th of October 2017. Their family expanded further with the birth of their daughter, Libby, in 2014.
Ben Stokes Domestic Career
Ben Stokes made his List A debut for Durham in 2009 at The Oval, where he impressively took the wicket of the highly experienced batsman Mark Ramprakash with only his third delivery in professional cricket. In 2009, Stokes played in two youth Tests against Bangladesh U19, showcasing his all-round abilities with a half-century and a few wickets. The following year, he participated in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, scoring a century against the India Under-19 team.
Stokes marked his first-class debut for Durham against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) during the traditional season opener in 2010 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In that match, he contributed with a half-century and claimed a wicket. He also made his Championship debut for Durham in the 2010 County Cricket Season, where he notched up his maiden first-class century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on May 13, 2010. Stokes continued to feature for Durham in various formats, including the Clydesdale Bank 40-over competition, especially due to the team’s injury woes at the beginning of the 2010 season. His successful debut season in first-class cricket earned him a place in the England Performance Programme, and he traveled to Australia during the 2010–11 Ashes.
Stokes played a pivotal role in Durham’s victory in the 2013 County Championship and was named Man of the Match in the final of the 2014 Royal London One-Day Cup Final at Lord’s. In the final, he scored an unbeaten 38 and took 2 wickets in a low-scoring game against Warwickshire.
Joining the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League on January 2, 2015, as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, Stokes added an international flavor to his cricketing journey. On February 13, 2017, he was appointed vice-captain of England’s test team, serving as the deputy under Joe Root, who was made captain on the same day.
Making a record-breaking return to Durham on May 6, 2022, Stokes scored 161 from 88 balls in a County Championship game against Worcestershire. During an extraordinary over, he hit five consecutive sixes, falling just short of achieving six sixes in an over of first-class cricket. However, the innings surpassed Paul Collingwood’s record for the fastest first-class century by a Durham player and set the record for the most sixes hit in a County Championship innings.
Stokes has been associated with the Northern Superchargers squad since the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021. Despite limited appearances, he was retained by the Superchargers on February 15, 2023, ahead of the upcoming season.
Ben Stokes Parents FAQs
1- What is the name of Ben Stokes’s father?
Gerald Stokes is the father of Ben Stokes.
2- What is the name of Ben Stokes’s mother?
Debbie Stokes is the mother of Ben Stokes.
