England skipper Joe Root has come out in support of all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has opted to prioritise his mental health and take an indefinite break from all forms of cricket. Root said Stokes will be badly missed in the India series beginning on Wednesday but has asked him to take as long as he needs away from the game. 

“From my point of view, I just want my friend to be OK. Anyone who knows Ben, he always puts other people in front of himself and first. Now is an opportunity for him to put himself first, to take time to look after himself and get to a good place again. Hopefully that can be sooner rather than later,” Root told reporters on Monday. 

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“Cricket has to be a secondary thought, a long way down the line, and he should take as much time as he needs.  He’s got my full support on that and he’s been assured he’s got the full support of the ECB on that. And certainly, he’s got the whole team’s support.  More than anything, we just want Ben to be OK. He’s got everyone behind him,” he added. 

On Friday, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a press release that Ben Stokes will take an indefinite break from all cricket with immediate effect. The ECB said that it fully supports the cricketer’s decision and will continue to help him during this period away from the game.

“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,” Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Ashley Giles, said.