Trevor Bayliss extends arms for Ben Stokes’ return to national team

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to make the return to the national team after the prolonged gap of little over four-month hiatus, as the chief coach Trevor Bayliss is eagerly awaiting to embrace the Durham-born star in the national fold.

“I’m happy he’s been made available. He’s a very popular member of the team and the squad. I’m sure they’ll welcome him back with open arms,” Bayliss was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia after speaking with the BBC’s Test Match Special.

The 26-year-old star cricketer Stokes will be returning to the England team in February during the upcoming tri-nation series which includes Australia and England.

“The players and coaches are looking forward to seeing him,” Bayliss maintained.

There are no doubts about Stokes’ services for England across formats which further saw the visitors paid a massive price on the Australian soil following the Magellan Ashes 2017-18 series loss by 4-0.

“We knew he wasn’t going to be available. We set about competing in that Ashes series knowing we didn’t have him. That’s resigned to history now and we’re looking forward,” Bayliss asserted.

In the recent past, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has shown faith in the prominent face Stokes, who is returning in the 20-over format.

Moreover, following the hiatus, Stokes is expected to kick off the campaign in New Zealand after the left-handed batsman was suspended and further is bound to attend court on February 13.

“Hopefully we can get him some cricket somewhere as part of his practice going into the New Zealand leg. That’ll be up to him,” Bayliss stated.

Stokes is expected to receive the hero’s welcome after opening batsman Alex Hales, who was witness to the savage brawl, was cleared by the Everton and Somerset police after spending the night behind bars.

Pertinently, the 26-year-old left-handed batsman Stokes was charged for affray following the Bristol-street brawl near one of the nightclubs.

The incident happened in September soon after the third ODI in Bristol against Windies-led by Jason Holder.

England will kick off their campaign on February 7 at Bellerive Oval in Hobart after the competition opener will be held on February 3 at Sydney Cricket Ground between Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re fully aware of why he wasn’t available, that’s fair enough. I’ve got admiration for those guys that they were able to see past that and get on with the cricket,” Bayliss concluded.

The final of the Tri-nation tournament is slated for February 21 at Eden Park in Auckland.

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