Ben Stokes in the last 2 years has taken his game to several notches higher. The England all-rounder is currently rightly considered as the best cricket on the planet. Stokes has been outstanding for his side with both bat and ball, especially in Test cricket. During the South African tour earlier this year Stokes pulled out a folded finger celebration. After scoring a hundred at Port Elizabeth the all-rounder’s celebration caught the eye of everyone.
Stokes did the same gesture after scoring his 10th Test match hundred in the second Test against West Indies. There is an inspirational story behind the new celebration of Stokes. He gives a tribute to his father who was a former Rugby player who came from New Zealand to England with Ben to work as a Rugby coach.
Inside story of folded finger celebration of Stokes
His father Ged Stokes had a finger injury during his professional Rugby career. Rugby being a very competitive physical sport the senior Stokes accounted for several dislocations and injuries. The doctors recommended him to undergo an operation which indicated that he would be required to stay away from Rugby.
Ged Stokes decided to get his finger separated and continued playing. Stokes with his celebration acknowledged his father’s contribution who made a lot of sacrifices to let his son realise his dream of playing for England. During England’s tour of South Africa in January, his father was hospitalised and was undergoing treatment. Ged Stokes has now fully recovered and his son has continued that celebration after reaching three digits ever since.
Meanwhile, Stokes played a crucial knock of 176 in the first innings at Old Trafford. He missed out in the first Test and looked determined to score big from the very first ball. England posted a mammoth total of 469-9 in their first innings and declared the innings late on day 2. Unfortunately due to heavy rain at Manchester the third day of the match was abandoned.