Ben Stokes puts other people in front of himself, it is time he puts himself first: Joe Root

England all-rounder Ben Stokes recently took an indefinite break from the game to address his mental well-being. 

Captain Joe Root has backed the left-handed batsman’s decision and said that Stokes has always given priority to the team and this is the time where he should put himself first. 

“Yeah, from my point of view, I just want my friend to be okay. I think anyone that knows Ben, he always puts other people in front of himself and I think now is an opportunity for him to put himself first,” Root said. 

The Joe Root-led side have a packed schedule ahead of them as the team will first face India in a five-match Test series and then will take on Australia in an away Ashes series. 

Talking about the game being played in bio-bubbles, Root suggested that there could be more players in the future who will be forced to take a break from the game for sometime. 

“I think that’s why it’s important that we continue to keep talking, especially whilst we’re in safe living environments. There’s good honest conversations between the players and the ECB so that players can be looked after as best as possible.”

The first match between India and England will commence on Wednesday (August 4, 2021) in Nottingham and this will also mark the beginning of the second cycle of the World Test Championship.