Ben Stokes helping out at Christchurch club trainings

Ben Stokes takes part in a catching drill. Photo: Getty Images
Ben Stokes takes part in a catching drill. Photo: Getty Images
England cricketer Ben Stokes is finding time to aid the development of some Canterbury cricketers during his stay back home.

The New Zealand-born all-rounder is here to spend time with his ill father Ged, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last month. In between time with family, the World Cup winner is doing his best to finetune his skills on the pitch.

One club is benefiting immensely from his services. The Sydenham Cricket Club is located in central Christchurch and on top of being in close proximity to the Stokes household; it also has a strong connection to the 29-year-old.

"He's got a real close connection with the club, in particular Graham Harris who's the president, some family history there," Sydenham Premier head coach Matthew Bell says.

Bell, a former Black Caps batsman, says his players are doing all they can to benefit from Stokes' brief yet priceless appearances. Sydenham's cricket season gets underway on October 3, with red ball cricket for the first three rounds before moving into the white ball. Stokes has played a part in helping the team prepare.

Stokes left the England squad for Christchurch during their series with Pakistan last month upon hearing the news of his father. He is no stranger to the garden city, having been born there and living his early years down under.

Stokes left for England aged 12 when his father snagged a job coaching the Workington Town rugby league club in West Cumbria.

Since, his career has been one filled with stardom and success, which all culminated in a World Cup win on English soil last year. The infamous victory over New Zealand in the final was thanks in large part to Stokes' innings, including his unintentional deflection when running between the wickets, which tacked on four extra runs and sent the match to a super over.

The rest is gruelling, excruciating history… at least for Kiwis, but Bell insists there has been no World Cup final-related banter at the club.

"Hasn't been any chat of that… let him just do his thing," he says. "Just a real thrill for the guys to bat against him."

Stokes represented Canterbury domestically at the end of 2017, and while he could end up spending more time in New Zealand in the near future, a return to the domestic scene appears unlikely.

"I think he's just here for family reasons and little bit of personal stuff with his cricket on the side," says Bell. "I can't see that happening this time round."

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