Pataudi Trophy 2021: Ben Stokes takes an indefinite break from cricket

English all-rounder Ben Stokes would not be giving his services to the side in the upcoming five-Test series against India to defend the Pataudi Trophy, as he has decided to take an indefinite break from the sport.

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London, First Published Jul 31, 2021, 9:56 AM IST | Last Updated Jul 31, 2021, 9:56 AM IST

English all-rounder Ben Stokes would not be featuring for his side in the upcoming five-Test series against India to defend the Pataudi Trophy. He has decided to take an indefinite break from cricket, citing mental health and continuing to recover from his finger injury.

Stokes has been spending most of his life of late living in bio-bubbles due to team commitments for England and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He also suffered a finger injury this summer, and it has been healing slower than actually anticipated.

Although his comeback was rushed for Durham in the Vitality Blast, there was soon an availability issue after some COVID cases with the side. Later, he helped to lead a second-string English side to a 3-0 series win in the One-Day International series at home against Pakistan.

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"The ECB fully supports Ben's decision, and we will continue to help him during this period away from the game. Stokes will be replaced in the squad by Somerset's Craig Overton. We request that privacy is given to Ben and his family during this time," said England and Wales Cricket Board in a release.

"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. Ben will be given as long as he needs, and we look forward to seeing him playing cricket for England in the future," said Ashley Giles (ECB Managing Director) in the release.

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