Bayliss says Stokes should now make public apology after court case saga
England coach Trevor Bayliss has suggested Ben Stokes make a public apology over the events that led to his eventual acquittal for affray, as the all-rounder waits to see if he will be recalled for this week’s third Test against India at Trent Bridge. Stokes was found not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing at a trial in Bristol on Tuesday, nearly 11 months after being arrested following a brawl outside a nightclub.
Within a couple of hours of the verdict, Stokes was added to England’s 13-man squad for the third Test, which starts on Saturday.
He missed England’s innings and 159-run win in the second Test at Lord’s last week, a win that put the hosts 2-0 up in a fivematch series because it clashed with his court case. Bayliss said at Trent Bridge on Thursday that Stokes had already apologised to his teammates, in New Zealand earlier this year.
Asked if Stokes should apologise in public, Bayliss replied: “Certainly. It was important to actually apologise to the boys in the team, management of the team and management at the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board], who had to go through a lot of extra activities to work our way through it.”
As to whether similar comments would be made to an audience beyond the England set-up, Bayliss added: “I’m sure something will be forthcoming. That’ll be up to Ben and his management team, I suppose.
“But certainly, when he came out to New Zealand after the Ashes tour that he missed, he addressed the players in the changing room when he first arrived. So, from our point of view, his contrition was evident for the boys in the team.”
Bayliss said a decision has yet to be made on whether Stokes would play at Trent Bridge.
“Whether he plays or not
we’ve got some guys in good form in the team. It’s a difficult decision to make.”
India coach Ravi Shastri said the tourists would have no qualms playing against Stokes, who took 4-40 as England completed a 31-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston.
“He is a terrific cricketer, we would like to play against top cricketers,” Shastri said at Trent Bridge. “If he is cleared by the courts what’s the reason for him not to play?”