England all-rounder Ben Stokes has condemned as “utterly disgusting” a front-page newspaper story reporting on a family tragedy from more than three decades ago.

The player said the publication of “extremely painful, sensitive and personal details” about his family would have “grave and lifelong consequences” for his loved ones.

In a statement on Twitter, Stokes lambasted The Sun newspaper, which carried the story on its front page on Tuesday, accusing it of being focused on “chasing sales” regardless of the emotional impact on his family.

The Sun, which said it has the “utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother”, responded that it had contacted Stokes before printing the article and “at no stage did he or his representatives ask us not to publish the story”.

In his Twitter post, which has amassed thousands of retweets, likes and numerous supportive comments, Stokes wrote: “Today the Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details concerning events in the private lives of my family, going back more than 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.”

He said a reporter had turned up to his parents’ home in New Zealand “out of the blue” to ask them about the tragedy.

The newspaper reported in its story that the couple and the cricketer had declined to comment.

In his statement, Stokes said his own public profile was not an excuse to “invade” the rights and privacy of his family members.

He said: “To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of – in particular – my parents, is utterly disgusting.”

Stokes added: “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, focussed only on chasing sales with absolutely no regard for the devastation caused to lives as a consequence. It is totally out of order.”

He said the story printed by The Sun contained “serious inaccuracies which has compounded the damage caused”.

In the wake of the story he asked for his family’s privacy and right to home life to be respected.

Retweeting the statement, Test captain Joe Root urged people to “Please take the time to read this and respect it.”

England Cricket also expressed support on Twitter, posting a heart emoji and a picture of an emotional-looking Stokes being consoled by Stuart Broad.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison said the governing body was “disgusted and appalled” by the story.

In a statement released to the PA news agency, Harrison 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 is the hot favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December, having helped England to World Cup glory in July before playing a starring role in the drawn Ashes series.

He pulled off a one-handed ‘Superman’ catch in England’s World Cup opener against South Africa and delivered a never-say-die innings which dragged the hosts back from the brink in a thrilling final against New Zealand.

Then he hit an unbeaten 135 to turn what looked like certain defeat into a memorable one-wicket third Ashes Test win over Australia at Headingley.

A spokeswoman for The Sun said: “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.”