Johannesburg: England head coach Trevor Bayliss has backed experienced players Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad to bounce back, after the visitors lost the Ashes trophy to Australia on the final day of the Perth Test.
Earlier today, England slumped to a crushing defeat by an innings and 41 runs against Australia on the final day of the third Ashes Test of the five-match series at the WACA in Perth.
Trailing by 259 runs in the first innings after Australia declared at huge total of 662 for nine, Josh Hazlewood ran through England’s batting line-up as he clinched five wickets to bundle out the visitors for 218 and ensure his side regain the coveted urn.
While Cook has failed to reach half-century in the series so far, Broad has ended the third Test wicketless, with speculations continue to mount around their future.
However, Bayliss believes the two senior players still have very much to offer the England set up, before backing the players to rebound strongly and come good in future.
“I think they both agree they are a little bit closer to the end than the start.That just happens with experience, the older you get. But there’s no reason why they can’t continue to be a part of this England team into the future,” Sport24 quoted Bayliss, as saying.
Broad has received a flurry of criticism during the series for wasting the new ball on a number of occasions by delivering the ball in bad areas.
But Bayliss insisted that Broad is a quality pace bowler, who would surely turn the things around.
“Broady is a quality pace bowler and has been for a number of years. He didn’t take any wickets in this game but I’m sure it’s not the first time and I’m sure he’s got that experience to be able to bounce back,” Bayliss said.
England struggled against Australia’s bowling attack as they failed to build up any strong partnership throughout the second innings in Perth, with James Vince (55) and Dawid Malan (54) being the only batsman to score a hard-fought half-century to provide their side with some resistance.
Earlier, Australian skipper Steve Smith (239) produced a superlative performance as he struck a double century besides sharing a massive partnership of 301 runs with Mitchell Marsh (181) to guide Australia to a huge first innings total of 662 for nine declared. It was the ninth-highest total in Australia’s Test history.
Wicket-keeper Tim Paine (49 not out) and pacer Pat Cummins (41) also frustrated the English bowlers further and shared a vital 93-run partnership.
For England, Anderson was the pick of the bowlers, as he grabbed four for 112. The remaining bowlers struggled to pick up wickets.
England, who have now lost the Ashes series by 0-3 against Australia, will now play the inconsequential fourth Test, beginning December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). (ANI)