New Delhi: England star all-rounder and the match winner of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, Ben Stokes recently decided to take an indefinite break from international cricket, citing mental health. Because of this, he is also not playing in the ongoing five-match Test series between England and India.
Meanwhile, England head coach Chris Silverwood has said that he will not pressurize Stokes to return from his break despite the hosts struggling in the ongoing Test series against India. A day after India's 151-run loss to India in the second Test at Lord's, Silverwood said Stokes would be given as much time as he needed to recover. Captain Joe Root also said the same before the start of the five-match series.
"No, there is no pushing from my point of view. I don't think you can push with these issues. I will wait and there will be an element of waiting for him to come to me to let me know he is ready," Silverwood said, as per PTI.
"There is no time limit on it," asserted 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 re-enters the frame, he is ready in his mind to come back and 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. There are people around him supporting him and, when he is ready to come back in, we will welcome him with open arms, but until then he will get all the support he needs."
England can announce the team for the Ind vs Eng third Test on Wednesday. There are doubts over fitness of English fast-bowler Mark Wood. He got injured while fielding in the Lord's Test. The third Test between India and England will be played at Headingly from August 25. The first test between the two teams ended up in a draw.