'I didn't sleep for a week and my head wasn't really in it': Ben Stokes speaks for the first time since returning to New Zealand for family reasons as his father, Ged, reveals he is battling brain cancer

Ben Stokes has spoken for the first since jetting back to New Zealand after his father tragically revealed he is battling brain cancer.

His dad Ged, 64, recently made the heartbreaking revelation after his diagnosis in January following his return home from South Africa - where he was taken seriously ill during the winter. 

Stokes withdrew from England's Test series with Pakistan to be with his father and touched down this week. 

Ben Stokes has spoken for the first time after his father tragically revealed he has brain cancer

Ged, 64, was taken seriously ill during the winter and further tests back home made the heartbreaking diagnosis

The 29-year-old is now in isolation due to coronavirus measures in the country and has laid bare his emotions in a touching interview. 

'I didn't sleep for a week and my head wasn't really in it,' he told the Weekend Herald. 'Leaving the was the right choice from a mental point of view.'

Ged had been admitted to hospital in Johannesburg ahead of the Boxing Day Test clash and required surgery on a bleed on the brain. 

His illness was initially described as 'serious' and further tests back in New Zealand then diagnosed him with cancer.  

Stokes withdrew from England's Test series with Pakistan to be with his father in New Zealand

Stokes repeatedly celebrated with this hand gesture in South Africa in reference to his father

Stokes senior said: 'They had to assess how I travelled and from that they discovered I had a couple of tumours on my brain as well.

'So, basically brain cancer. How that came about nobody knows but obviously I've had a few bangs on my head through my life so that's probably contributed to it.'

His son was able to continue on with the tour of South Africa in December while his father recovered in hospital. 

Ged was eventually taken out of intensive care, but remained in care for over a month.