Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Ben Stokes’ decision to withdraw from the test series against India is a ‘wake-up call’ for everyone.

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday released a statement informing Ben Stokes’ decision of taking a break from the game to focus on his mental well-being while also continue his recovery from a finger injury. The statement read, “The ECB fully supports Ben’s decision, and we will continue to help him during this period away from the game.”

Official Statement: Ben Stokes

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2021

Michael Vaughan speaking on the BCC Radio 5 Live, said that it’s a wake-up call for everyone to take up mental health seriously. “If Ben is struggling, then potentially many others will be too.”

“When you see someone like Ben, who we know is mentally tough and has the ability he has to produce under the utmost pressure on the cricketing stage, it’s a wake-up call for us all,” said Vaughan.

Vaughan further added that the pandemic has had an adverse effect on the cricketers, as they are locked up in a bubble. He said,

“We have to study the last 18 months and realize that these cricketers are being put in circumstances which they are not trained for, like being locked away continuously in a bubble. The Test team got back into a bubble today for the first two Tests against India, where they’ll be restricted again to a hotel and a cricket ground, and not be able to go out and do normal things”

“There will be many out there thinking they’re cricketers, and that’s what they’re paid to do. But it’s such a time-consuming sport where your mind is being challenged all the time,” Vaughan signed off.

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