England Test Captain Ben Stokes feared not playing for Three Lions again

All-rounder Ben Stokes, who was appointed England's Test Captain in April this year, feared not playing for the Three Lions during his mental break from the game.

The 31-year-old, who suffered from panic attacks, took a 5-month break from cricket in 2021 in order to prioritise his mental health.

In 2020, he had also taken a compassionate leave to be with his father, who died from brain cancer later that year.

Speaking to the BBC, Stokes said bottling up his emotions for several years wreaked havoc on his mental health, stating: "It was like I had a glass bottle I kept on throwing my emotions into. Eventually, it got too full and just exploded."

The 31-year-old opened up about his mental troubles before his documentary, 'Ben Stokes: Phoenix From the Ashes' releases worldwide on August 26, showcasing his life and career.