ENGvsIND: England’s head coach Chris Silverwood has cleared that the management won’t ask talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes to cut short his necessary mental health break and return to international cricket and help England level the test series against India.
The visitors, India, outshined their English counterpart in the recently concluded Lord’s test match as they went on to win the match by a massive 151 runs to go 1-0 in the five matches test series. The first test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham ended in a draw as the rain played spoilsport.
The star all-rounder from England, towards the end of July, announced he is taking an indefinite break from all forms of cricket with immediate effect due to excessive workload and to manage his mental wellbeing.
Several cricketers came in support of the cricketer, as Stokes dared to come forward and made it public.
Silverwood reckons the management will not push the all-rounder to return. He further said that the doors are open for Ben Stokes and whenever he feels ready, he will approach him and inform the team.
“No, there is no pushing from my point of view. “I don’t think you can push with these issues,” said Silverwood.
“I will wait and there will be an element of waiting for him to come to me and let me know he is ready,” added England head coach Silverwood.
England has a packed cricket season ahead after the India test series. The team will travel to Pakistan for T20I matches followed by the T20 World Cup, Men’s Ashes and three-match Test series against West Indies.
Stokes played his last cricket match last month as the captain of England’s ODI team against Pakistan.
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Ben Stokes is free to enter the dressing room anytime, says Chris Silverwood:
Silverwood indicated that the cricketer is free to take as much time as he wants.
“There is no time limit on it,” said Silverwood.
“I would stress again the important thing is Ben is okay, his family is okay and that he comes back strong and when he reenters the frame, he is ready in his mind to perform for England like we know he can.”
“I am certainly not pushing him for an answer and I don’t think that would be the right thing to do.
The head coach further stated that the team is in complete support of the all-rounder and will welcome him with open arms when he feels the right.
It is important to note that England has not announced their test squad for the last three test matches. The third test match between India and England at Headingley Leeds will begin on August 25th.
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