Trevor Bayliss would like Ian Bell to continue England career
Tuesday 25 August 2015 12:23, UK
England coach Trevor Bayliss hopes Ian Bell will not decide to call time on his international career after his fifth Ashes series victory.
Bell hinted his career might be drawing to a close in the aftermath of England's final Test defeat at the Kia Oval, but Bayliss feels the situation might have been the cause for his comments.
The Warwickshire batsman spoke about 'taking stock' before a long winter of international cricket but Bayliss said that was an understandable reaction as celebrations for the series victory kicked off in south London.
"He certainly hasn't said anything to me," said Bayliss.
"This series, on the back of a long summer, the emotional roller coaster is hard for the players.
"I think at the back-end of a series like this, they can feel a bit down. Let's hope with the celebrations into the night, that changes."
His sentiments were matched by director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss, who said: "I haven't had the opportunity to speak to him yet about it but we know the number of high quality performances we've seen from him over the years.
"If he's still got the motivation and drive to continue then he's still got a very important part to play in England cricket.
"I don't want to put words in the selectors' mouths by any means, the selectors will pick the side as they always do, but what I would say is how many great contributions Ian has made to the team not just in previous years, but in this year as well."
Bayliss now turns his attention to a one-day series against the Australians and then plans for the trip to the United Arab Emirates for a Test series against Pakistan, which comes before a winter trip to South Africa.
Changes to England's squad are expected, with extra spin options needed in the UAE, and with the possibility of some Ashes heroes being given a rest.
Bayliss added: "Certainly the winter tours to the UAE and South Africa are going to be very difficult.
"Any team playing away from home has struggled over the last few years... so we've got some hard work to do.
"But we've got some very good young players who, I think with experience, will be able to handle that pretty well.
"I'm not exactly sure of the depth that is there. I know we've got a lot of pace-bowling depth but I think from the point of view of spin bowling, and the next batters, it's an opportunity for players in county cricket to stand up.
"Those that score a hundred after a hundred, or those spin bowlers that take a lot of wickets, there are opportunities there. That's the message to any of those types of players in county cricket."
