Bayliss hopes Stokes avoids a ban

– England cricket coach Trevor Bayliss is hopeful that Ben Stokes’ “exemplary” conduct since an altercation outside a nightclub last year can help the all-rounder avoid a ban ahead of the side’s tour of the West Indies, starting in January.

Stokes (right) and batsman Alex Hales face a disciplinary hearing next month after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) charged them with bringing the game into disrepute following the September 2017 incident in Bristol.

“I hope he [Stokes] is available for our next game. I think he’s learnt a lesson since that time. The way he’s conducted himself since he’s come back into the fold has been exemplary,” Bayliss said.

“The hearing coming up hasn’t affected him, I haven’t heard

London

it mentioned once around the changing room.”

Possible penalties range from a warning to the termination of their contracts.

Stokes, who was cleared of affray in August, played an important role with bat and ball as England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep in Sri Lanka on Monday.

“You can throw the ball to him, put him in any situation with the bat, put him where the ball is coming in the field. For me, he’s the first picked,” Bayliss added.

“His averages may not be the greatest, but you add those three disciplines together, it adds up to one hell of a player.”

England take on West Indies in three Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals from January to March. – Reuters