England coach Trevor Bayliss says his team left “a few scars” on Australia in the Adelaide Test, suggesting the home side’s second innings batting performance will have some players feeling “nervous”. The fighting talk came after England slumped to a crushing 120-run defeat in the second Ashes Test at Adelaide, leaving the tourists trailing 2-0 and on the verge of losing the five-Test series.
Despite succumbing again, Bayliss was upbeat about his bowlers skittling Australia for 138 in the second innings, leaving England with a chance of chasing down a record 354-run victory target. “We have got a few scars there with the Australian team,” he told the BBC. “There will be a few who have missed out and a few who will be nervous. “They’ve got four good bowlers and we’ve shown we can compete with them for a period of time. We’ve just got to do it for longer.” Captain Joe Root was also positive after the game, saying England were “still massively” in the Ashes series.
‘Circus’ fears as Stokes in ODI squad
Suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes was included on Thursday in England’s squad for their one-day series against Australia, with coach Trevor Bayliss bracing for “a circus” if he is cleared to play. “Both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes are included, though their involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September,” they said. Bayliss admitted Stokes’ potential appearance in Australia could be a distraction for the team. “Whenever he comes back that’s going to be a bit of a circus for sure,” he told reporters.
