Why is ben stokes not playing
Ben Stokes, an influential cricketer from England’s cricket team has steered clear of the pitch in recent matches. The dynamic all-rounder popular for his aggressive batting style and efficacious bowling has had fans puzzled with his absence on the field. Why is Ben Stokes not playing? There are several reasons to this question, mostly speculated by media outlets keeping a close watch over events unfolding around him.
Personal Reasons
In August 2020, Ben Stokes decided to withdraw from England’s Test squad against Pakistan citing personal reasons. It was later revealed that his father Ged Stokes had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
“Stokesy” as he is often referred to by teammates and fans alike, took an indefinite break from cricket to support his family during these trying times.
His father’s fight against the illness ended sadly in December 2020, affecting Ben deeply and undoubtedly influencing his career decisions in regards to cricket going forward.
Mental Health Concerns
A major issue prevailing in modern sports is mental health concerns. Many athletes from various sporting backgrounds have admitted their struggles with mental fitness apart from maintaining physical robustness. Ben Stokes happens to be one such individual who bravely voiced his inner turmoil and stresses linked to lockdown restrictions amid the global pandemic.
It appears that maintaining stringent bio-bubbles imposed due to COVID-19 protocols affected him significantly. Managing pressures from living away from family and facing isolation proved testing for Stokes’ mental wellbeing. This once again led him step back temporarily from professional cricketing commitments.
Injury Setbacks
Another obstacle contributing towards why Ben Stokes is not playing lays on the injury front.
Being an admirably fierce competitor comes with its own negatives. Despite being known for his flamboyant stroke-play and lively quick balls, Ben also suffered substantial injuries periodically which consequently hampered his contributions in pivotal series’.
Full Video in Youtube
Most noticeably he fractured his left index finger while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the 14th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). This setback compelled him to pull out from IPL and subsequent international assignments. The recovery period was further extended due to surgery requirements thus potentially explaining why Ben Stokes has been mostly inactive on the cricket field.
Legal Issues
In 2017, Stokes was embroiled in a high-profile legal case following an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol. He faced charges of affray and court hearings interfered with his participation in several key matches.
Though eventually acquitted, it marked a hiatus during which he couldn’t contribute his exceptional match-winning abilities to England’s cricket team. Nevertheless, it served as a reminder of vulnerability even for public figures like sports personalities, making this a considerable aspect in analyzing why Ben is not playing actively recently.
Future Prospects
Although these setbacks have kept Ben Stokes away from active professional play, they have by no means diminished his relevance or impact. His prowess remains evident through historic performances orchestrating thrilling wins for England.
Moreover, young talents emerging across worldwide cricketing platforms view him as an icon whilst still eagerly awaiting his comebacks on tour.
With the ashes looming around the corner combined with various international events lined up ahead; fans can expect to see immense resilience from Ben despite adverse incidents. Thus reaffirming what all cricket lovers already know – champions might falter temporarily but their spirit remains unbeatable indefinitely.
To conclude, the question ‘Why is Ben Stokes not playing?’ stirs curiosity and raises valid discussions surrounding personal issues, mental health concerns, recurring injuries and legal hiccups that marred his career sporadically. Yet amidst those challenges,
Stokes’ merits serve as strong endorsements of his credentials ensuring there stands little doubt over his return to pro-cricket sooner rather than later because simply put, sportscapes especially cricket fields are much more exhilarating with the likes of Ben Stokes gracing them.
