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Ben Stokes Ready to Take an Indefinite Break from Cricket

Ben Stokes Takes Indefinite Break from Cricket

England have had to leave all-rounder Ben Stokes out of the Test squad for the five-match series versus India that began on 4 August after the star cricketer announced that he wanted an indefinite break from the game. Stokes, who has been nursing an injured left index finger, cited mental well-being concerns as a reason for wanting the break.

The ECB Pledges Support

Stokes’s decision was backed by the England and Wales Cricket Board which issued a statement to the media announcing its support. The ECB added that it fully supported Stokes and would help him during the period away from cricket:

“Stokes has withdrawn from England’s Test squad ahead of the LV= Insurance Test series against India starting next week to prioritize his mental well-being and to rest his left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.”

England MD Ashley Giles Weighs Inp>Speaking to the media, England managing director Ashley Giles said that the all-rounder would be given as much time as he needed to get back to match fitness. Giles commented on the tremendous courage Stokes had shown in opening about his mental well-being. The England MD added that the primary focus of the English board had always been and would continue to be the mental health and welfare of those involved.

“Spending significant amounts of time away from family with minimal freedoms is extremely challenging. The cumulative effect of operating almost continuously in these environments has had a major impact on everyone. Ben will be given as long as he needs, and we look forward to seeing him playing cricket for England in the future.”

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Life in Bio Bubbles Has Taken its Toll

trong>Over the last 16 months, Stokes has had to cope with life in bio-secure bubbles both with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and with England squads in Tests and white-ball cricket matches. Earlier, in December, Stokes lost his father to brain cancer. After he withdrew from the IPL following a finger injury, Stokes has featured for Durham in the T20 Blast and for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. He also skippered a second-string England side in the ODI series versus Pakistan that England won 3-0 after the first-string side went into isolation. Stokes’s decision has been backed by various sports personalities including former England batsman Pietersen, former England striker Gary Lineker and former Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

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Craig Overton Replaces Stokes in England Squad Versus India

e selectors have replaced Stokes with Craig Overton in the Test squad to face India. Overton, 27, has featured in four Test matches in which he has taken nine wickets. Overton has also scored 124 runs at an average of 20.66 with the highest score of 41 not out. Overton’s last Test for his country came in 2019 in the Ashes series versus Australia. He also recently featured in the ODI series versus Pakistan.

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Stokes Doubtful for T20 World Cup, Ashes Series

llowing Stokes’s announcement of an indefinite break from the game, it is not certain that the England all-rounder will play in the ICC 20 World Cup scheduled to take place in October-November 2021, or in the Ashes series versus Australia set to begin in December.