Ben Stokes Opts Out Of India Test Series; Takes Indefinite Break From All Forms Of Cricket

England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the upcoming five-match Test series against India which begins on August 4 in Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the shocking development and said that they supported Stokes fully.

Ben Stokes, in an official statement shared by the ECB, has decided to take an indefinite break from all cricket in order to prioritize his mental health and give time for his finger on his left hand to heal for which he underwent surgery after breaking it during the first phase of the Indian Premier League’s 14^th edition (IPL 2021).

“Ben Stokes has withdrawn from England’s Test squad ahead of the Test series against India starting next week to prioritize his mental wellbeing and to rest his left index finger, which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 fully supports Ben’s decision, and we will continue to help him during this period away from the game,” read the ECB statement.

Ben Stokes has shown tremendous courage to open up about his feelings and wellbeing: Ashely Giles

Ben Stokes was recently part of England’s ODI series against Pakistan which was put together in an emergency by ECB after their first-choice unit had to be quarantined after multiple COVID-19 cases in their camp. He led the Lions team to a 3-0 series win over Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

He had mentioned that his finger was yet to heal fully after surgery, yet he was ready to commit to the England team in the time of need. England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Ashley Giles has backed 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.

Stokes will be replaced in the squad by Somerset’s Craig Overton in the England Test squad for the India series.

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