Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the upcoming 5-match Test series against India which begins from August 4 in Nottingham as he has decided to ‘prioritize his mental wellbeing’.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday confirmed that all-rounder Ben Stokes will take an indefinite break from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.
Ben Stokes Withdraws From The 5 Match Test Series Against India To Prioritize His Mental Wellbeing
According to ECB’s official statement, Ben Stokes has also withdrawn from the upcoming 5-match Test series against India, which begins from August 4 in Nottingham, as he has decided to ‘prioritize his mental wellbeing’. He will be replaced by Somerset’s Craig Overton.
“Ben Stokes has withdrawn from England’s Test squad ahead of the Test series against India starting next week to prioritize his mental wellbeing and to rest his left index finger, which has not fully healed since his return to competitive cricket earlier this month,” the ECB statement read.
“The ECB fully supports Ben’s decision, and we will continue to help him during this period away from the game,” it added.
Ben Stokes, who in normal circumstances would be vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root, is a key figure for England. In 71 Tests, he has scored 4,631 runs at 37.04 as a dynamic left-handed batsman, including 10 hundred, and taken 163 wickets at 31.38.
More than raw figures, however, it is his ability to balance the side and above all, turn a game with either bat or ball that makes Ben Stokes such a valuable player. His stunning unbeaten hundred that saw England to a remarkable one-wicket win in a 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley was one of several match-winning contributions.
Ashley Giles: Ben Stokes Will Be Given As Much Time As He Needs
England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Ashley Giles has backed Ben Stokes’ decision and said the all-rounder will be given as much time as he needs for himself.
“Ben has shown tremendous courage to open up about his feelings and wellbeing. Our primary focus has always been and will continue to be the mental health and welfare of all of our people. The demands on our athletes to prepare and play elite sport are relentless in a typical environment, but the ongoing pandemic has acutely compounded this,” Giles said.
“Spending significant amounts of time away from family, with minimal freedoms, is extremely challenging. The cumulative effect of operating almost continuously in these environments over the last 16 months has had a major impact on everyone’s wellbeing.”
“Ben will be given as long as he needs, and we look forward to seeing him playing cricket for England in the future,” he added.
England was forced to pick an entirely new squad of players and support staff for the ODI series against Pakistan after seven members of the party originally selected (four from the management unit and three players) tested positive for the virus. Ben Stokes returned to the squad to captain the side. After the Covid-19 outbreak, England named a new 18 member squad captained by Ben Stokes and consisting of 9 uncapped players and still won 3-0.
Ben Stokes broke his hand taking a catch for Rajasthan Royals in the now-suspended Indian Premier League 2021 and a repeat X-ray and CT scan revealed that he has a fracture of his left index finger. He missed the 2 Tests against New Zealand while his last Test came against India in March 2021.
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