ENGLAND TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND, 2018

Bayliss keen to bide time on Stokes's return

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Bayliss isn't buying into the six domestic games Stokes participated in New Zealand recently. © Getty

England coach Trevor Bayliss has decided to bide his time over Ben Stokes, who is set to resume his cricket after pleading not-guilty to the affray charges. The 26-year-old all-rounder is not likely to feature in the remaining T20s of the ongoing Trans-Tasman tri-Series despite arriving in Hamilton on Friday (February 16), two days before England and New Zealand play a Twenty20 International there.

"He hasn't played for a while so it is not as if we can bring him straight back for these T20s," Bayliss said on Wednesday (February 14) in Wellington.

That said, Stokes is not likely to play in the opening One-Day International versus New Zealand on February 25 either. "I'd have to say it's unlikely," Bayliss said in the context. "It's just up and in the air. We'll have to wait and see how he is travelling, with the practice. We have got to get him up to speed and hopefully during this one-day series we can get him back into the team."

Bayliss isn't buying into the six domestic games Stokes participated in New Zealand recently and wants to assess his form in the outdoor nets, something Stokes hasn't done in good six weeks.

"It'll just be something we have to keep an eye on as the practice days go," Bayliss reckoned. "In the past, he's been out with injuries and coming back sooner than we think. That's the type of character he is and it doesn't take him long at all to get back up to speed."

In a short career marred with controversies, Stokes has managed to pull out some incredible performances and Bayliss believes that the England all-rounder is capable of doing that again. "There have been players in the past who've had off-field issues and been able to put that aside and concentrate on cricket," Bayliss said. "I've got a feeling he will be one of the guys who can put it aside and perform."

The return of Stokes will not just strengthen what's a remarkable ODI side already but add another dimension to it. "One of the biggest things we've missed over the summer has been the combinations we've been able to play," Bayliss noted. "Especially in the one-dayers and T20s. We've been able to have six bowlers, which gives the captain plenty of different options. We've been down to just the five bowlers.

"He's looking forward to getting back doing what he does best and I'm looking forward to catching up with him," Bayliss said, underlining that he's confident about Stokes grooving back into the side without much ado. "Don't forget he wasn't the only one who was out that night. There were a few others. They all can't wait for him to come back. He's a very popular member of the squad, one of the leaders of the squad and there won't be any problems whatsoever."

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