The Coronavirus pandemic has forced cricket to be played at bio-secure venues and the players have been confined in bio-secure bubbles and have not been allowed to venture out for any activities.

This has continued for over a year and the amount of international cricket and other domestic leagues being played during this time has mentally drained the players. Several players have taken a break and pulled out of the series citing mental fatigue.

The most recent player to do so is England all-rounder Ben Stokes. A lot of former and current players have come in support of such decisions. 

Speaking about the prevailing issue, former England pacer Steve Harmison has compared English sports stars to caged animals and said that watching cricket in current times feels like going to a zoo. 

“Watching cricket now is like going to the zoo. Our sports stars are like caged animals. They're let out to be fed and to entertain. And that's not healthy. I can understand why West Indies and Pakistan came here last summer. But the longer the bubble life has gone on, the harder it's become,” Harmison told The Daily Mail. 

“I thought I could never be prouder of Ben Stokes, but he's gone above that now. I think the poor kid is still grieving for his father. Knowing Ged as I did, he was such a rock for Ben. Don't underestimate what his loss has done,” he added.

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The former bowler added that Ben Stokes' well-being was the top priority. 

“Everyone has their snapping point and Ben's found his. I hope and pray he'll be all right. But whether he comes back on the pitch is of secondary importance right now. If he never plays cricket again, he's had a wonderful career,” he said. 

He also added that if the Olympics could be postponed by a year, the upcoming Ashes can also be pushed by a year. This was in light of reports suggesting that England players won't be allowed to take their families to Australia for the long tour. 

“The biggest sporting event in the world is the Olympics. If that can be put back 12 months, why not the Ashes? You’ve got to be flexible in the Covid world. It'll be a waste of time if England sends a half-baked team to Australia. Test cricket is already hanging by a thread. Would that finish it off? Let's not compromise," he concluded.