This is no time to just chill out
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BEN STOKES knows the chances of cricket – or any sport – taking place any time soon are slim to none, writes ANDY DUNN.
But the England all-rounder is keeping his mind and body in shape during the lockdown.
He said: “It is a very difficult situation for everybody, that’s the most important thing to stress.
“From my point of view, my next cricket is the Indian Premier League. I have to have a mindset that I could be playing on the 20th of April, so what would I normally do to prepare for that?
“I have to try and make myself do that on the off chance we do go ahead.
“I just can’t be of the mindset that I am just going to chill. Three weeks of doing nothing takes a serious amount of getting back. I always keep myself fit.” And to that end, Red Bull are providing Stokes with home gym equipment. “I’m a Red Bull athlete and I’m lucky that they are looking after all the team both physically and mentally,” said Stokes (inset). Indeed, for a mental distraction, Stokes will be having a go on a Formula One simulator. But there is no doubt he will find a long stretch without cricket tough. Stokes added: “My work is pretty much 365 days a year. I’ve got to be doing something.
“And if I’m not keeping myself busy, I’m not keeping myself fit. I might get into a place mentally where I don’t want to be. That’s why I have to keep active. We all do.”
■ TO FIND out more about Ben Stokes (above), head to his athlete profile page on Redbull.com