England have left ‘scars’ on Oz: Bayliss

‘Circus’ fears as Stokes in ODI squad

Adelaide, Dec. 7: 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. Sydney, Dec. 7: Suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes was included on Thursday in England’s squad for their oneday 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. — AFP

“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. — AFP Karachi, Dec. 7: Former ICC President Ehsan Mani feels PCB’s decision to file a compensation claim against the Indian Cricket Board will lead to bad blood and impact future cricket relations between the two nations.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has filed a compensation claim of USD 70 million against BCCI before the ICC for not honouring a bilateral cricket series agreement.

“I have concerns about the consequences of this case whatever its outcome. What I am concerned about is the affect it is going to have on cricket relations between the two countries in the long run,” Mani said on Geo Super channel.

“I just think all avenues of talks, discussions and back door diplomacy were not explored by the PCB before going ahead with its compensation claim in the ICC.

“I would have waited and first exhausted all options of trying to get something out of India for them not playing bilateral ties with Pakistan before opting for the compensation claim option,” he added.

Mani, who served as ICC President between 20032006, said even if Pakistan won its compensation claim what guarantee is there India would agree to pay out the amount.

“Say if Pakistan is successful in its compensation claim what happens if India holds back the money. Then Pakistan has to go to the ICC board and it will not help relations between both countries,” he said.

Mani said even though there was a clause that said the Disputes Resolution Committee’s decision was binding on both parties and could not be challenged in any other forum, but when it came to money things often get ugly.

— PTI