'The last couple of years have been challenging for everyone' - James Neesham comes out in support of Ben Stokes regarding mental health

Mental health is a very important aspect of sport. And, England cricketing mainstay and all-rounder Ben Stokes recently revealed that he would like to take a break from the sport as he was dealing with mental health issues, as well as take some time out to heal his injured finger.

And, New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham has voiced his support for Ben Stokes. Neesham tweeted that even though a cricketer might be mentally tough and resilient, the last two years have been a hugely challenging period for everybody.

Neesham urged everyone to be more kind towards others and even wished Stokes good luck for his time away from the sport.

“Wishing Ben Stokes all the best for his time away from the game. Probably a timely reminder that, no matter how resilient or ‘mentally tough’, the last couple of years have been challenging for everyone for many different reasons. Be a little kinder to each other,” tweeted Neesham.

This is James Neesham’s tweet

Ashley Giles comes out in support of Ben Stokes

Ashley Giles, the Director of the England Men’s cricket team has also come out in support of Ben Stokes’ decision to take a break from the game. Giles stated that Stokes has shown a lot of courage to openly reveal his mental state of mind. Giles added that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will focus on the welfare of its people.

“Ben has shown tremendous courage to open up about his feelings and wellbeing. Our primary focus has always been and will continue to be the mental health and welfare of all of our people,” said Ashley Giles as quoted by TOI.

Ben Stokes has represented England in 71 Tests, 101 ODIs, and 34 T20Is. While he has scored 4631 runs in Test cricket, he has plundered 2871 runs in the ODI format of the game. In T20I cricket, the left-hander has scored 442 runs.

Stokes has also scalped 163 wickets in the whites for England, while he has taken 74 wickets in ODI cricket. In T20I cricket, the right arm pacer has prized out 19 willow wielders. Stokes won the Player of the Match award in the 2019 World Cup Final. He scored 84* in the summit clash and helped England lift the 2019 World Cup title.