The Chase star Paul Sinha has praised cricketer Ben Stokes for 'saving' his summer and helping him 'on the road to emotional recovery', following England's triumphant third test win over Australia yesterday.
Sinha revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, explaining in an emotional blog post that initially he struggled with the news, which he described as 'devastating'.
But in a blog entry shared today, Sinha explained how Stokes' performance yesterday had helped him derive happiness and excitement from sport, just like he used to.
Sinha explained how his shocking diagnosis had hit him hard, and how he had been unable to find joy even when Liverpool - his team - won the Champions League final in June, writing: "I was flat, depressed, guilty about spoiling my sister's big evening, tetchy and short-tempered."
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The post continued: "A horrible thought crossed my mind. Am I destined to spend the rest of my life never again getting over emotional about sport?"
But 'then there was yesterday', he said, referring to England's victory as 'a day's cricket that managed to make the Greatest World Cup Final Ever seem like an ephemeral irrelevance in comparison'.
Sinha wrote: "They bloody achieved the impossible. Yep they needed bad umpiring, bad captaincy and bad fielding. But they also needed superlative skill, Stokes showing a ferocity and determination that was truly awe-inspiring.
"As the miracle was unfolding, I forgot my aches, pains, anxieties, weaknesses and limps and just got lost in my 'happy place'. I was unconditionally excited. Ben Stokes was Saving my Summer for a second time."
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He added: "Ben Stokes, for what you've done to help me on the road to emotional recovery, you're a hero."
Stokes has been widely praised after he steered England to victory yesterday with his 135 not out, meaning England and Australia are now level at 1-1 as they enter the fourth test.
Following the match, Stokes was asked by Sky Sports how he had managed to do what he did.
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He replied: "Erm... dunno... just never give up really. When Leachy came in, it was pretty clear what had to be done. I had to take five deliveries and him one. Leachy's done it before - he's our supernightwatchman, so I backed him.
"When we needed 60/70, I thought I had to really try and go. Yeah. I think I was just so in the zone of what I had to do. Yeah. Mate, I dunno."
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