SECOND STING
Bayliss warns World Cup fringe players to shape up or ship out
ENGLAND’S World Cup hopefuls have been told to shape up or be shipped out before next summer’s tournament.
Coach Trevor Bayliss took a dim view of the 219-run hammering on Tuesday that rounded off the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
With Sam Curran and Mark Wood fighting to be a part of the World Cup squad, Bayliss was blunt about what performances like that mean.
“It’s one thing giving guys an opportunity, but those guys have to take hold of that opportunity,” fumed Bayliss.
“Those opportunities could determine who makes a World Cup squad and who doesn’t. That’s the way it is.
“I’m sure the guys are disappointed. They are all very good players who have performed for us in the past, but international cricket is a tough school.
“Winning the series is what we set out to do so I’m happy we achieved that, but disappointed with the way we finished. I thought it started off with our fielding, our attitude in the field wasn’t up to scratch and that affected the way we bowled and batted.
“This is a reminder that you can’t take your foot off the gas and it’s not quite as easy as some guys think. If you are not 100 per cent on it, this game can bite you in the backside.”
The fact that skipper Eoin Morgan did not play and they swapped a batsman for a bowler did not help and it is clear the Irishman will not be missing any matches unnecessarily in 2019.
England have 11 ODIs left before the World Cup and as much as it might mean fewer chances for fringe players to make their case, the time for tinkering is over.
“We knew it wasn’t the perfect structure or our best one,” added Bayliss.
“But it afforded others the chance to show what they’ve got and state their case for inclusion.”
Another hopeful, David Willey, returns to action in the West Indies and Bayliss said: “The closer we get to the World Cup we will play our No.1 team more often.
“Our batting and spinners are set and the West Indies series could mean a lot for the pace bowlers.”