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Trevor Bayliss says players like Ben Stokes are good for cricket

DHAKA, BANGLADESH - OCTOBER 27: England coach Trevor Bayliss speaks with Ben Stokes during a nets session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Octo
Image: Trevor Bayliss thinks Ben Stokes has come a long way in 12 months

England coach Trevor Bayliss says that a "bit of by-play between a couple of guys on either side" can be a good thing for cricket.

Bayliss says the International Cricket Council [ICC] need to be careful they do not take too firm a hand with some of the game's most charismatic performers.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was reprimanded by the world governing body after a verbal spat with India skipper Virat Kohli during the third Test in Mohali last week.

The reprimand was accompanied by a demerit point under the ICC's new code of conduct system, taking Stokes' tally to two after a similar offence in Bangladesh in October.

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And the Durham man will be banned for one Test or two one-day internationals, should he double his demerit points at any point over the next two years.

However, when asked if Stokes needed to calm down on the field, Bayliss said: "I think he's improving!

"I think at times ICC are almost looking for things. I agree that things have been out of hand in the past, and we don't want it to go overboard.

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"But sometimes a little bit of by-play between a couple of guys on either side - who are passionate about their cricket and their team - I think it's good for the game."

England find themselves 2-0 down in the five-match series but Stokes has been one of their top performers, with a century and a five-wicket haul to his name already.

And Bayliss thinks the whole-hearted all-rounder is the sort of cricketer who fans of the sport love to watch, and that it would be wrong to try and calm him down too much.

Ben Stokes goes to his fourth Test century during the first Test against India
Image: Stokes has been in fine form against India

"We've just got to be careful, we (don't) completely cut that out," he added.

"I think having some personalities in the game is fantastic to watch. I think it's part of the game. But he's got to learn to deal with it in a different way - or get away with it a bit better!

"I think he's come a long way in the last 12 months or so and I'm sure he'll keep improving in that area. Some of us are in awe of what he does.

"He just doesn't stop. He's like a wind-up clock. You get him off at the break, wind him up and send him back out."

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