Sports star is unrecognisable in NRL pic – can you tell who it is?
One of the most famous redheads in world sport is pictured supporting the NRL’s New Zealand Warriors in photo taken 20 years ago – so can you tell who it is?
- Star spent formative years in New Zealand
- Father played rugby league in the country
- Is now a giant of a very popular sport
Skipper Ben Stokes has been one of the heroes for England during the Ashes series, but 20 years ago he was just another sport-obsessed kid growing up in New Zealand – as a recently resurfaced photo proves.
Four years after he was the hero in their famous one-wicket victory against Australia in Leeds, Stokes shrugged off a glute injury to hit five sixes in a stunning knock of 80 last week to help his side to claw its way back into the series.
Stokes has been in stunning form, and has previously reflected on how his Kiwi upbringing laid a good base for cricket stardom.
Stokes was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but moved to England with his family when he was 12.
Ged Stokes, Ben’s late dad, played rugby league for New Zealand and later became the coach of the Workington Town rugby league team.
Ben Stokes spent the first 12 years of his life in New Zealand, with the English skipper’s dad playing rugby league for the nation and coaching afterwards
Stokes moved to England with his family when he was 12 after his father got a coaching job
‘We had 10 years in Christchurch and two in Wellington. I remember going to rugby training with Dad every single night. I would kick goals all night. I loved it,’ Stokes told Stuff.co.nz.
‘We moved to Wellington, lived a five-minute walk from the beach and 10 minutes from where I played cricket and rugby. I played a lot of cricket in New Zealand and Mum and Dad have said as soon as I could walk all I wanted to do was play cricket.
‘Whenever anyone came around all I would do is play cricket in the garden for hours. I remember taking down the fence a couple of times and the Chinese family next door did not appreciate it too much.’
Ged Stokes wasn’t a man to be messed with and stories of his toughness were legendary. Even Ben’s cricket opponents watched their step.
‘I played club cricket as a kid against Workington, the best team in Cumbria, and they had a pro from Auckland called Simon Beare,’ recalled Stokes.
‘He did not say much to the older guys but picked on me, the young lad. I did not say a bean back then. But my old man was there watching.
‘When I played against him again after that he didn’t say a word to me. I think Dad had a word. You can imagine why he would not say much else to me after that.’
While touring New Zealand in February, Stokes said he had fond memories of training in Wellington as a youngster – but just don’t confuse him for a Kiwi.
Stokes is pictured with his parents Gerard and Deborah in the dressing room at the Oval after England won the 2018 Test series against India
Stokes has looked back fondly at his time as a kid living in New Zealand
‘I’m English, just to be clear on that,’ Stokes told reporters with a grin.
Stokes’ father Ged died aged 65 after losing a long battle with brain cancer in December 2020.
Each time Ben scores a century in cricket he gives a ‘three-finger salute’ in honour of his father.
The gesture stems from when Ged injured his middle finger and was told to choose between the finger and his rugby league career. He chose footy and had the finger amputated.
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