India vs England: Head coach Silverwood rules out Ben Stokes return, says there’s no time limit to his mental health break – England have struggled to keep up with Virat Kohli and Co. in the ongoing test series and would have been 2-0 down if not for some good fortune. Joe Root’s side have struggled for runs while Team India have managed to keep the pace attack at bay to dominate the proceedings in both the Test matches so far. England’s problems are compounded by the absence of a host of regulars, but a return of Ben Stokes, who is on a mental health break has been ruled out by coach Chris Silverwood.
India vs England: Ben Stokes took an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health and finger injury on the eve of the series. With England struggling to cope with the absences of Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad, suggestions were made that the star all-rounder could be asked to return in a bid to help with his team’s fortunes. However, head coach Chris Silverwood has rubbished those claims and said that Stokes will only return to the fray when he feels ready.
Silverwood said, “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. 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.”
India vs England: The England head coach added, “I am certainly not pushing him for an answer and I don’t think that would be the right thing to do. There is no time limit on it. 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.”
India vs England: Ben Stokes had missed the two tests against New Zealand due to injury but returned to captain the ODI side against Pakistan despite an injury. The hosts will name their squad for the third Test at Headingley against India on Wednesday, but Stokes is unlikely to make a return. England have a hectic summer on the cards two T20 matches in Pakistan in October, the T20 World Cup, the Ashes series in Australia and a three-Test series in the West Indies.
