Ben Stokes has revealed that his ailing father Gerard, for whom he took a break from cricket, encouraged him to return to action in the IPL by telling him that he was duty-bound “to do the job”.

Stokes took compassionate leave in the middle of the home Test series against Pakistan in August and travelled to Christchurch to attend to his father, a former New Zealand rugby league player, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

After spending five weeks with his family, Stokes, who is contracted with Rajasthan Royals, has landed in the UAE and is currently serving his quarantine period.

Recalling the conversation he had with his parents, Stokes wrote in his column for London’s Daily Mirror: “My dad was also very strong on the responsibilities I have. He told me I have a duty to do the job that I do and I have a duty as a husband and father as well.

“We gave it all a lot of thought and we came to a decision that now sees me back focusing on the game and then I’ll be heading home to Clare and the kids.”