AFP, London
England will not pressure talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes to cut short his mental health break and help them try and get back on level terms with India in their ongoing Test series said head coach Chris Silverwood on Tuesday.
Silverwood was speaking the day after India pulled off a thrilling win in the second Test at Lord’s to go 1-0 up in the five match series.
Stokes announced at the end of July he was taking “an indefinite break from all cricket with immediate effect” because of the stress of his role as one of England’s most high-profile stars.
Silverwood said it was a case of waiting for Stokes to approach him as to when he feels ready to return to the fray.
Aside from the India series, England face a hectic winter schedule.
They have two T20 matches in Pakistan in October, the T20 World Cup -- which is being held in the United Arab Enmirates and Oman -- the five-Test Ashes series in Australia and a three-Test series in the West Indies. “No, there is no pushing from my point of view,” said Silverwood.
“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.”
