England head coach Chris Silverwood on Tuesday said he won’t push star all-rounder Ben Stokes’ return from mental health break despite the team’s struggles in the ongoing Test series against India.
“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,” he said.
Stokes had taken an indefinite break from the game last month after leading England to a 3-0 ODI series win over Pakistan.
Echoing Root’s opinion, Silverwood said one can’t push an individual on sensitive matters like mental health.
“There is no time limit on it,” asserted Silverwood.
“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.
“I am certainly not pushing him for an answer and I don’t think that would be the right thing to do. 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.”