This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
On Wednesday, England all-rounder Ben Stokes returned to practice with the team at SuperSport Park, where the first Test against South Africa is set to begin on Thursday.
According to a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes' father, Ged, remains in intensive care in a Johannesburg hospital but has shown positive signs of recovery and is in a stable condition.
Ged Stokes was admitted to the hospital on Monday with a serious illness, prompting Ben Stokes to miss practice on Tuesday to be by his father's side.
The Stokes family has expressed gratitude to those who have offered their support, particularly the medical professionals treating Ged Stokes.
Meanwhile, fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer have reportedly recovered from their own illnesses, which caused them to miss England's warm-up matches. However, three players - Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, and Chris Woakes - were absent from the team's final practice due to illness, although they have not been ruled out of selection for the Test.
