Ben Stokes pulled out of the three-match series against Pakistan in August before the second Test to be with his father in New Zealand, who is diagnosed with brain cancer. Stokes, hero of England’s World Cup triumph last year, is going through a tough phase. He pulled out of the three-match series against Pakistan in August before the second Test to be with his father, diagnosed with brain cancer. Since the first Test against Pakistan, the top all-rounder has not played any cricket. Instead, he travelled to New Zealand, where his parents are settled.