Trevor Bayliss surprised by ICC's decision in Kohli-Stokes brawl
England coach Trevor Bayliss has expressed his surprise at the ICC's decision to fine Ben Stokes for the on-field spat he had with Virat Kohli during the third Test. Bayliss has also failed to confirm the availability of pace bowler Stuart Broad for the fourth Test against India at Mumbai.
England player Ben Stokes was involved in a verbal spat with Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the third Test, for which he was fined by the ICC. But, his coach Bayliss has expressed his surprise over the decision to fine Stokes.
Bayliss said, “He’s got to learn to deal with it in a different way or get away with it a bit better. He’s come a long way in the last 12 months. But at times the ICC are almost looking for things. A little bit of by-play between a couple of guys on either side is good for the game,” reported the UK Mirror.
“He just doesn’t stop. He’s like a wind-up clock. Some of us are in awe of what he does. You get him off at the break, wind him up and send him back out.
He added, “I don’t know who was the last overseas player to score a hundred and take a five-for in a Test series over here – especially a pace bowler. That wouldn’t have been done too many times – that’s a feather in his cap.”
England pacer Stuart Broad had sustained a tendon injury to his right foot during the second Test at Vizag and missed the Mohali Test. Although England
“I’m not 100 per cent confident. He’s out of the moon-boot now, but we won’t really know until he gets back for those practice days before the Test. We’ll leave him as late as possible.”
Barring some players including Ben Stokes, the entire England team have gone back to their country to spend some quality time with their respective families. They will return on Monday to join the rest of team for the Mumbai Test.
Bayliss said, “This is an opportunity to get away for three or four days, refresh and – we hope – come back raring to go,” reported UK Mirror.