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Trevor Bayliss doesn’t want Joe Root to participate in IPL 2018

Bayliss wants Root to take some time off and restrategise his thoughts ahead of the busy 2018 international schedule.

Joe Root and Trevor Bayliss © Getty Images
Joe Root and Trevor Bayliss © Getty Images

Joe Root had a forgettable outing in his first Ashes as captain. They lost The Ashes by 0-4 against Australia. Root injured his finger. He was indisposed after his son’s first birthday party. He was fatigued by the scorching sun. And yet, he was the second-highest scorer for the side with total of 378 runs at 47.25. Amidst all this, IPL 2018 auctions are around the corner. England players like Ben Stokes, Jason Roy and Tymal Mills had made their debut last year with the former being the highest bid player. With Stokes cleared to participate in IPL 2018, Root was also expected to be part of the auctions this year.

Root has never played in the IPL till date. He has mentioned about focusing on improving as a Test player. However, back in August, he had also expressed his views on being a vital cog for England in limited-overs cricket and play IPL. But coach Trevor Bayliss currently has other plans for Root. Bayliss wants Root to take time off and re-strategise his thoughts ahead of the busy 2018 international schedule.

“We had that discussion a few days ago, I suggested to him that he shouldn’t play, that he should have a break. He feels that whenever he’s had a break in the last couple of years, it’s always been a T20 series. He wants to play in 50-over World Cups and T20 World Cups. He thinks if he keeps missing all the T20 cricket he’s just going to fall behind and not be up to speed when those come along. It’s just a Catch-22 situation. There are difficult decisions to make. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Bayliss told SkySports.

England will be playing limited-overs series against Australia and New Zealand in February and March. They will also host Pakistan and India in the summer.

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