England star Ben Stokes to take indefinite break from cricket to focus on mental health

Ben Stokes announces an indefinite break from cricket

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England star Ben Stokes will take an ‘indefinite break’ from cricket in order to focus on his mental health, it has been claimed.

Stokes is set to walk away from cricket indefinitely to spend time with his family and focus on his mental health, reports The Mirror. 

The England star, 30, was expected to take time off anyway due to the injury suffered to his left index finger, but now it appears his hiatus will be extended.

He has now withdrawn from the upcoming India test series, and might not return until later in the year. 

The Ashes and T20 World Cup are both fast approaching, but the Mirror’s report claims he will only return once he has worked on his mental well-being. 

Stokes has been open in the past about his struggles off the pitch, and wrote about the stresses of playing away from family. 

During the Sri Lanka test ealier in the year, Stokes praised the England Cricket Board for their work with players in helping them away from the pitch. 

“Just because we are in nice hotels and are well paid doesn’t mean we don’t go through the same stresses and strains as everyone else,” said Stokes.

“We are all human and our mental well-being is very important.

“The ECB are right to look after their players as best they can.”

In a statement, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Ashley Giles, praised Stokes for taking the break from cricket.

He explained he believed the all-rounder was doing the right thing by putting his mental health first.

“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.

“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.”

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