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Bayliss backs veterans to find form

Cape Town - England coach Trevor Bayliss has backed veterans Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad to come good after a trying Test in Perth.

The tourists were handed an innings defeat as they surrendered the Ashes to Australia in the third Test of the series with both Cook and Broad underperforming.

However Bayliss still feels they have much to offer the England set up and backed the players to contribute in the future.

Cook has not reached fifty in this series while Broad ended the Perth Test wicketless and with both getting on there has been speculation around their future.

Bayliss said after the defeat: "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."

Broad has been the subject of much criticism on this tour copping a lot of flak for 'wasting' the new ball on a number of occasions by bowling in bad areas.

Bayliss feels he will turn the corner though, saying:  "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."

The coach was delighted with the effort of Craig Overton who played with a cracked rib which is believed to have been sustained in Adelaide and aggravated while bowling in Perth.

Bayliss said: "He's in a little bit of discomfort at the moment, but all credit to him for going out there with a cracked rib.

"He hasn't complained at all during this match, he was fine early until he dived for a ball and felt it again, but look, we'll have to wait and see how he pulls up. I'm sure he'll be wanting to play, like I said he wasn't complaining about it, he just wanted to get out there."

There are two Tests left in the Ashes series with England desperate to avoid a whitewash.

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