Ashes 2019 | We don’t want to necessarily risk Jofra Archer, says Trevor Bayliss
England coach Trevor Bayliss has conceded that England will not risk their star young fast bowler, Jofra Archer, for the first Ashes Test as he recovers from a side strain injury picked up during the World Cup. The first of five Ashes Test matches will be played at Edgbaston from August 1.
The World Champions will begin their training for the first Test with an optional training session on Monday. Coach Bayliss plans to have a thorough assessment of Archer’s fitness during the session.
"We don't want to necessarily risk him/ He played for Sussex in a T20 match and came through that well. Test match cricket, five days, longer spells, is a little bit of a different beast so we'll have to see where he's at and take a little bit from the medical people as well,” Bayliss told AFP, reported TOI.
Bayliss reckons that it would be a better option to ease Archer in as the series progresses. England have picked five other fast-bowling options in their squad.
"We have to weigh up, do you pick him for the first one, it's a bit early, he gets injured and then is unavailable for selection? We've got a good strong group of bowlers who we think can do the job over the five Tests," Bayliss said.
The hosts won’t lose too much sleep over their bowling. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will once again lead the way, with the mighty impressive Chris Woakes to add impetus. Bayliss admits that it is the batting that England have had worries about.
The hosts were bundled out of 85 on the opening day of the Lord’s Test against Ireland just a week before. Bayliss, who wasn’t too pleased with the performance, said that he had a proper chat to let them know exactly what was expected of them.
"We had a fairly stern chat after the game. It's good to be able to deliver those messages when you have actually won a game. I thought the example Jack Leach showed was the example a lot of the other batters need to learn from. He was very focused on what he wanted to do and was very clear in his own mind how he was going to go about it. We speak about that a lot, having a plan for any situation you find yourself in and being clear with your thoughts -- don't try and just bluff your way through it," Bayliss added.
England salvaged themselves in the second innings with a defiant 92 from nightwatchman Jack Leach, before Woakes and Broad ran through the Irish. England won by 143 runs, as Ireland were skittled out for a mere 38.
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