02:00
England players have made ‘dumb’ decisions – Bayliss
The England team “have to be smarter” about how they go about life off the field, the coach Trevor Bayliss had said.
Bayliss was clearly angry and disappointed after allegations of an altercation involving Jonny Bairstow emerged at the end of the fourth day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
While the incident itself turned out to be more of an oddity than an altercation – Bairstow greeted Cameron Bancroft with a well-meaning but somewhat bizarre headbutt when they saw each other in a Perth bar almost a month ago; the pair then enjoyed a few drinks together – Bayliss was disappointed that it appeared to have destabilised his side and increased pressure upon them in a series which has started with a defeat.
Although Bayliss confirmed that Bairstow had not broken any curfew and that there would be no disciplinary action against him, he suggested his players had made some “dumb decisions” in recent times and admitted there would be a review of the team’s self-imposed code of conduct. The introduction of curfews and, perhaps, a ban on alcohol, might have to be considered.
“It has given not just the Australian team but the media the chance to get involved with stuff other than cricket,” Bayliss said. “That’s the disappointing thing and that’s what we’ve got to be better at. We can’t put ourselves in these situations however small they are. It’s a distraction.
“We want to get on with the cricket. But it has given the opposition ammunition to put pressure on as well. We are here to play cricket and we have to find a way to play as well as we can and have no distractions from outside that.
“There was no malice in it and Jonny did not break the code of conduct we had in place before this [but] I’m sure there will be a review of that. Probably we will tighten up curfews. I’m sure there will be further discussion between management and players.
“We have to be smarter. Most people like going out at night for couple of quiet ones, but you have to be careful you don’t do anything stupid. If that means not having anything to drink then so be it.”
The irritation for Bayliss is that the incident occurred so soon after the Ben Stokes episode. Already missing his team’s key all-rounder, he was shocked there should be further unnecessary drama on the first night of the tour.
“You can head out [in the evening], but obviously not be stupid,” Bayliss said. “That’s the disappointing thing, we make dumb decisions at different times.
“Yes, I thought players’ behaviour would change after Bristol as well. They would be extra dumb and stupid if it didn’t.”
It was clear, however, that Bayliss did not blame the Australian team for taking the opportunity to “get under Jonny’s skin” suggesting England would probably have done the same thing in their position. Indeed, they certainly did so after David Warner hit Joe Root in a Birmingham bar.
“They probably mentioned it to get under Jonny’s skin,” Bayliss said, “as I’m sure we might have done a few years ago in England.
“It’s an opportunity. Any team will take any opportunity to get stuck into the opposition and make them feel uncomfortable wherever possible. If you put yourself in that situation, you are fair game. We have to be careful we don’t do that in future.”
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo