England head coach Trevor Bayliss stated the fact that any of the 3-4 experienced players in the England team can take up the vice-captain’s role for the upcoming Ashes slated to begin on November 23 at the Gabba in Brisbane ane. During an interview with Sky Sports, Bayliss was asked that the team is blessed to have some senior players around who can take up the role in the absence of their regular vice-captain Ben Stokes.
“Look personally I wasn’t concerned about naming one. As you said there are at least 3-4 guys who can take up the role. They are experienced guys and can do the job for the team,” Bayliss was quoted as saying by the SkySports.
A few days ago Bayliss and urged the English team to look beyond Ben Stokes for the Ashes as the all-rounder’s fate is in jeopardy as he is awaiting a police investigation into a roadside brawl outside a Bristol nightclub.
Bayliss said that if Stokes gets a reprieve, then it will be a “bonus.” When asked by the Australian reporters whether he has written off Stokes Bayliss said:
“I have. If he turns up it’s an absolute bonus. And if he did happen to turn up, I’m quite sure he would slip back in very easily. It’s totally out of our hands. We have just got on with preparing as best we can.”
Meanwhile, English fast bowler James Anderson revealed that he was open to taking up the vice-captaincy in the absence of Stokes if given the offer but honestly he hasn’t thought about that yet. “Certainly over the past few years I have seen my role in the team as being a leader, especially with the young bowlers coming in, I try and help out where I can,” Anderson further added.
It is expected to be an intriguing series, and the visitors will be looking to take a revenge after suffering whitewashes in their last couple of Australian tours.
