I Just Want My Friend To Be Okay - Joe Root On Ben Stokes Taking A Break To Focus On Mental Wellbeing
By Shaan Singh
Updated - 03 Aug 2021, 12:56 PM
While Joe Root has to deal with the problem of filling Ben Stokes’ massive hole in the line-up, he made it clear that his priority is the mental wellbeing of his friend. The superstar all-rounder pulled out of the upcoming Test series against India and is taking “an indefinite break from all cricket” to focus on his mental health while also continue his recovery from a finger injury.
Joe Root, ahead of the first Test starting on Wednesday at Trent Bridge, was quizzed about Stokes’ decision. He said that the game has to take a backseat when the mental welfare of a player, especially one who has been carrying the side for the past couple of years, is concerned.
“From my point of view, I just want my friend to be okay. Anyone who knows Ben knows he always puts other people first. Now is an opportunity for him to put himself first, to take time to look after himself and get to a good place again,” Joe Roottold reporters on Monday.“Cricket has to be a secondary thought. It’s a long way down the line and he should take as much time as he needs. He’s got my full support on that and he’s been assured he’s got the full support of the ECB on that. And certainly, he’s got the whole team’s support. More than anything, we just want Ben to be okay. He’s got everyone behind him.“I had a conversation with Ben and that’s when I found out. The call will stay between the two of us but for me it was hard to see a friend like that. More than anything, I just want him to be okay.”
If anyone deserves a break, it is Ben Stokes. The all-rounder has been at front of the team for the better part of last year, in the bio-bubbles away from his family, playing for country and franchises, giving his all with the bat and ball, while also dealing with the loss of his father.
Balancing the side with Ben will take a lot of thinking: Joe Root
England are coming off a series loss to New Zealand – their first one at home in 7 years – in June. It’s a massive headache for Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood to try and plug that gap of Stokes. To exacerbate it they wouldn’t be having the services of Chris Woakes either who is recovering with a bruised heel.
That would mean Sam Curran, India’s nemesis on the 2018 tour, is likely to bat at No. 7, followed by Ollie Robinson, who recently made an impressive debut with both bat and ball against the Kiwis.
“In my opinion, there’s no one that compares to Ben Stokes in world cricket. Obviously for a long time now, he’s been incredible. He’s the heartbeat of this team. Balancing the side with Ben not there is one of the things that will take a lot of the thinking.But with (Ben out), present opportunities for the guys to step up to the plate and we’ve seen in the past guys been able to do that without Ben. We have found ways to win without Ben and this is an opportunity to do that,” the English skipper stated.
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