England cricket hero Ben Stokes has described The Sun as "immoral and heartless" after the newspaper printed a story about a family tragedy 31 years ago.

The all-rounder, who was key to England winning the Cricket World Cup in July, posted a statement on Twitter after the article featured in the tabloid on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for The Sun has said the paper has "the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother" but the story is a "matter of public record" that was supplied by a "family member".

The spokesperson added that the tabloid contacted Stokes prior to publication and "at no stage" did he ask them not to run the story.

England cricket captain Joe Root retweeted Stokes' statement and urged social media users to "take the time to read this and respect it".


England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison said he was "disgusted and appalled" by what had happened.

The England cricket team's official Twitter account posted a heart emoji along with a photograph of Stokes after the cricketer shared his statement.

Stokes wrote: "Today The Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details about events in the private lives of my family going back 31 years.

"It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism.

"I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family.

"For more than three decades, my family has worked hard to deal with the private trauma inevitably associated with these events and has taken great care to keep private what were deeply personal and traumatic events.

"On Saturday, The Sun sent a 'reporter' to my parents' home in New Zealand to question them, out of the blue, on this incredibly upsetting topic.

"If that wasn't bad enough, The Sun think it is acceptable to sensationalise our personal tragedy for their front page.

"To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of - in particular - my parents, is utterly disgusting.

"I am aware that my public profile brings with it consequences for me that I accept entirely.

"But I will not allow my public profile to be used as an excuse to invade the rights of my parents, my wife, my children or other family members.

"They are entitled to a private life of their own.

"The decision to publish these details has grave and lifelong consequences for my mum in particular.

"This is the lowest form of journalism, focused only on chasing sales with absolutely no regard for the devastation caused to lives as a consequence.

"It is totally out of order.

"The article also contains serious inaccuracies which has compounded the damaged caused.

"We need to take a serious look at how we allow our press to behave.

"Despite the fact that this has now been made public, I do please ask all concerned to respect my family's privacy and right to home life."

The Sun said in a statement: "The Sun has the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother but it is only right to point out the story was told with the co-operation of a family member who supplied details, provided photographs and posed for pictures.

"The tragedy is also a matter of public record and was the subject of extensive front page publicity in New Zealand at the time.

"The Sun has huge admiration for Ben Stokes and we were delighted to celebrate his sporting heroics this summer. He was contacted prior to publication and at no stage did he or his representatives ask us not to publish the story."

Mr Harrison, from the England and Wales Cricket Board, backed Stokes.

He said: "We, like the wider sporting world, are disgusted and appalled at the actions taken in revealing the tragic events from Ben's past.

"We are saddened that an intrusion of this magnitude was deemed necessary in order to sell newspapers or secure clicks.

"Ben's exploits this summer have cemented his place in cricket's history - we are sure the whole sport, and the country, stands behind him in support."

Stokes had a busy summer with the England cricket team after batting the side to World Cup glory against New Zealand in July.

Weeks later he helped England pull off a once-in-a-generation comeback to beat Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Australia captain Tim Paine called Stokes' 135 not out the "best test innings I've seen".