Bayliss wants a swift sorry from Stokes

Head coach Trevor Bayliss is hopeful all-rounder Ben Stokes will formally apologise to his England team-mates, at some stage during the ongoing Test series against India.

Stokes has returned to the squad, ahead of the third Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, after being found not guilty of affray.

He had been involved in a much-publicised altercation with two men in Bristol last year.

“When he came out to New Zealand after the Ashes tour that he missed, he certainly addressed the players in the changing room when he first arrived. for the distraction and difficulty caused by the incident,” said Bayliss.

“I think it was important to actually apologise to the boys in the team, management of the team and management at the England and Wales Cricket Board, who had to go through a lot of extra activities to work our way through it. I’m sure something will be forthcoming.”

Whether or not Stokes will return to the XI with immediate effect remains in the balance. The hosts might opt for an unchanged team, or forego leg-spinner Adil Rashid, batsman Ollie Pope or all-rounder Sam Curran to make way for Stokes.

“It’s a good position to be in from that point of view. Whether he plays or not, we’ve got some guys in form in the team,” added Bayliss.

“It’s going to be a difficult decision to make whoever misses out, whether it’s Ben or someone else. It’s a position we’ve been trying to get into in the Test team for a while. We’re starting to get some good young players into the team which makes it a difficult job for selectors.”

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