‘It’s totally out of our hands’ – Bayliss on Stokes

(Photo by Dan Mullan / Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

England head coach Trevor Bayliss has spoken of the situation surrounding Ben Stokes‘ chances of featuring in the Ashes, describing it as an ‘absolute bonus’ if he does manage to make the tour.

The Durham all-rounder was arrested and released without charge in September after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, leading to an indefinite suspension being placed on him until the ECB concludes its disciplinary review and the Police currently carrying out an investigation.

“If he turns up it’s an absolute bonus,” Bayliss told a news conference. “If he did happen to turn up, I’m sure he would slip back in easily.”

Looking to implement plans to replace his vice-captain, Bayliss said he was readily preparing the England squad to be without their star player.

“It’s totally out of our hands. We have just got on with preparing as best we can. I have (written Stokes off).”

“Having to replace Ben and the combination that we come up with requires doing a bit of both (batting and bowling),” he said.

“Moeen Ali batting as low as eight for the last couple of years, that’s a waste. It’s a combination that we will get to as the team develop. We have had problems at the top of the order so having Mo at eight and (Chris) Woakes nine suited us.

“The way Stokes has been playing, he’s developing into a world-class number five. Those three, in whatever combination, that’s a pretty good five, six, seven with Woakes at number eight. I think that’s what we were working towards anyway.”