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Sri Lanka v England: Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow reaction to being dropped 'fantastic'

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments120

Stuart Broad (left) and Jonny Bairstow
Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow have been regulars of the England side in recent years

The reaction of Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow to being dropped in Sri Lanka has been praised by England coach Trevor Bayliss.

Broad is England's second most successful bowler in Test cricket, with 433 wickets in 123 matches.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow was injured for the first Test but left out of the second in favour of Ben Foakes.

Bayliss said the pair had been "fantastic", as England have taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

"They have been a big part of our team over a number of years," added Bayliss. "They've played a big role off the field.

"I think that shows the environment that is around this group of players.

"It won't be just about 11 players going forward but a squad of players that gets this team to, hopefully, number one in the world sometime."

Bairstow was injured for the opening Test in Galle but Foakes kept his place for the second Test after hitting a century on debut.

England captain Joe Root said Broad and Bairstow remain a "big part" of the squad after England secured their first series win in Sri Lanka for 17 years.

There is one Test left, starting on Friday, but Bayliss refused to say if the pair would be recalled.

"Personally, it's not about giving players a game just for the sake of it. It is Test Cricket. It's a Test cap," he said.

"My point of view is we'll go down the same track as we have done for these last two Tests."

Root, who said his side needed to be "bolder" and more "courageous" prior to the series, made 124 in England's second innings in the second Test as his side went on to win by 57 runs.

"It was great to watch," added Bayliss. "He's made some statements about how he wants the team to play and sometimes I feel like he might put himself under a bit of pressure doing that.

"But, hopefully, this is a sign that he can get the combination right and go out and play. It was a fantastic innings under a lot of pressure on a difficult wicket.

"He'll get better and better as a captain, not just as a player. When you get some experience and get some wins under your belt and you learn what works and what doesn't."

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120 comments

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 08:21 19 Nov 2018

    Big problem finding Foakes as he is a cut above in terms of wicket keeping and if he keeps scoring runs he has to play doesn't?

  • Comment posted by D1679234450043, at 09:59 19 Nov 2018

    @5 Zayphod

    Try not to get carried away,

    Foakes has made a tremendous start to his England career however the real test will come on quicker tracks and when all the other teams have analysed his batting, I hope he passes with flying colours but we've seen people burst onto the scene before only to be quickly be worked out.

  • Comment posted by User0582261345, at 16:42 19 Nov 2018

    Why Broad and Bairstow? The attitude of Woakes is most worthy of praise. England's best bowler after Anderson; a much better test all rounder than Curran (good bat but a trundler) or Stokes (turns up one in five), yet he is constantly dropped - even after 137* and 8 cheap wickets against India. On recent form Broad and Bairstow are fringe players whilst Woakes should be first on the team sheet.

  • Comment posted by aub123, at 08:31 19 Nov 2018

    #1 He does have to play and Bairstow has to be left out until there is a place for a batsman or a wicketkeeper. Very strange that 'finding Foakes' is a problem, let alone a big one.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 08:41 19 Nov 2018

    Big problem for Jonny and Jos not us Foakes is great to watch

  • Comment posted by PeteD, at 13:01 19 Nov 2018

    Funny word 'dropped' and here it is being used in its broadest sense.

    In reality we were always going to go with 3 spinners so one of the seamers was going to be rested (both Curran and Stokes have their batting) so SB was always the likeliest.

    Bairstow was injured and due to the performance of his replacement couldn't find his place back in the side.

    I'm sure both will feature next year.

  • Comment posted by cricidmuslibale, at 21:22 19 Nov 2018

    It's often forgotten that Woakes is a very good batsman technically against spin bowling; if he were to come into the side in Colombo for Anderson or Curran or even Stokes he could be a massive plus! He will be able to bowl with max energy too as he is probably very fresh and raring to go. Chris Woakes is one of the most underrated players I've ever seen playing for England and a massive talent!

  • Comment posted by D1679123312378, at 11:24 19 Nov 2018

    I suspect YJB and Buttler will be the first choice wickies for pyjama cricket, but think they will struggle to wrestle those gloved away from Foakes in the most important format.

  • Comment posted by aub123, at 18:09 19 Nov 2018

    #48 'Alan Knott was nowhere near the best keeper in England in his time.'

    Taylor may have been marginally better but 'nowhere near' is typical of the hyperbole which infests discussions like this where people compete to express ever more extreme and inaccurate opinions.

  • Comment posted by RichardG, at 15:53 19 Nov 2018

    I'm a fan of Bairstow but I don't think they should change a winning team, so he will have to wait for a suitable vacancy. If Curran isn't fit then Woakes is the nearest replacement as a seam-bowling all-rounder, but it might be an idea to give his fellow-Bear Stone a debut. Whatever happens in the Windies JB needs to get early-season runs for Yorks to put his case as a Test specialist batsman.

  • Comment posted by D1679301751159, at 11:14 19 Nov 2018

    @9 I forgot to mention Coad too. Porter and Coad are banging on the door heavily for Broad's place in the team in England. Woakes, Stokes, Curran are already 3 men that seem impossible to leave out in England. Broad's place is under serious short-term and long-term threat for England in all conditions. Casual fans don't seem to realise Burns, Foakes, Curran, Leach should have been picked ages ago.

  • Comment posted by beetroot, at 13:03 19 Nov 2018

    Bairstow will not get back into the test side unless Foakes or Butler have a bad run, he is not 1,2 or 3 batter at test level the places still potentially up for grabs. So will be confined to limited overs cricket.Expensive game of football!

  • Comment posted by Bobby Smith, at 19:32 19 Nov 2018

    If Broad and Woakes ever shared the new ball I know who my money is on to take the most wickets. Perhaps, though, Mr Woakes is too humble and not arrogant enough to truly succeed in Test cricket? That said, he always does well with the new ball in ODIs, whatever the ball or wherever it is played. It would be nice to see him given the chance to display his new ball skills, before it is too late.

  • Comment posted by User0876915277, at 12:55 19 Nov 2018

    Don't even get me started on Stokes. Most overrated player in the last decade. Mr Angry is turning into Mr Useless.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 12:22 19 Nov 2018

    When Bairstow was last in the team he was getting upset that Buttler was WK over him, I reckon now he'd just be happy to get back in the team.

  • Comment posted by alibor, at 12:33 19 Nov 2018

    Bairstow should replace Stokes in final test as batting needs strengthening and Stokes is not top order quality and his bowling is not needed in Sri Lanka.

  • Comment posted by boating-voter, at 17:31 19 Nov 2018

    darlo50 @43

    Why d'you think Eng will only play 1 spinner in WI? Unless my memory's at fault, last time Eng went to WI is was more suited to spin than pace.

    I agree it's hard to find a place for Bairstow. He isn't & won't ever be a no.3. Foakes is a better keeper, Buttler a better bat. Best hope is as a specialist bat at 6. Whither Stokes, then? Maybe that's why they're trying Stokes at 3...

  • Comment posted by Paul Smiths Purple Hair, at 17:37 19 Nov 2018

    @45 boating-voter "triffictim @42 and others commenting on Foakes...Always play your best keeper."

    I'm not a pure cricket traditionalist, but always feel that if you have a natural 'keeper who also contributes a good brain & decent runs, then you have to play them every time.

    I really hope Foakes gets a long run in the Test team now & doesn't become another Read or Foster for England.

  • Comment posted by awesomedannym, at 15:42 20 Nov 2018

    @101 While this may be going off track Sarah Taylor is possibly the best keeper I have seen in twenty five years of watching England cricket. Her anticipation is incredible. We need to look after her and if she only plays at home, so be it. There is definitely a strong case for picking the best wicket keeper with a batting line up as strong as England currently have.

  • Comment posted by D1712379225155, at 19:15 19 Nov 2018

    75. Posted by Aub123

    Stokes has done little bowling all year due to on going injuries. He averages 24 with bat this year, others have been left out for a similar run of form.

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