Aust trying to provoke Stokes: Bayliss

Australia are playing on the emotions of fiery allrounder Ben Stokes, according to England coach Trevor Bayliss.

England coach Trevor Bayliss believes Australia are trying to get an edge in their one-day series by provoking fiery allrounder Ben Stokes.

Stokes found himself at the centre of controversy on Saturday when given out for the rarely-cited offence of obstructing the field after the 24-year-old stuck his hand out to deflect a Mitchell Starc shy at the stumps.

The occasionally volatile Stokes is no stranger to tricky situations - he was run out during the just-completed Ashes series after leaping in the air to avoid being struck by a ball which went on to hit the stumps.

He also missed the World Twenty20 last year after breaking his hand while punching a locker and has previously been sent home from a tour of Australia for having one too many nights out drinking.

Bayliss praised Stokes for his handling of the Lord's dismissal and warned the young star to expect more provocation from the world champions.

"With guys like that, there is special attention from the opposition as well to try to get those emotions out of them," Bayliss said.

"Certainly that is something he is beginning to learn and he has got to take it on the chin and get on with it.

"I thought he did that pretty well the other day.

"...he's certainly making strides in his growing up, not just as a cricketer but as a person."

Bayliss was sympathetic to Stokes' reaction, which England believed to be instinctive, saying he would've thrown "both hands up if someone was throwing near me from 10 yards away".

But he also admitted "when it gets down to it you can't handle the ball in cricket".

Bayliss also joked that he was pleased with new Australian skipper Steve Smith taking on the mantle of public enemy No.1 with the England fans.

After plundering a career-best 215 in the second Test at Lord's in July, Smith criticised England's perceived negative tactics during their 405-run defeat.

"I'm quite happy about that, after the shellacking he gave me during the Lord's Test," said Bayliss, who added he felt Smith might have been surprised at the crowd treatment.

"Whether it was the right decision or not ... he's a big boy and he'll be able to handle it.

"It's something he'll have to live with.

"My advice to him would be to go with your gut instinct.

"Not everyone is going to like what you do 100 per cent whatever the decisions you make - he'll handle it."


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Source: AAP


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