Publications
Partners
London - England coach Trevor Bayliss has insisted that the tournament hosts will stick with their aggressive approach during the Champions Trophy despite a chastening defeat by South Africa.
Bayliss's men suffered a seven-wicket loss at Lord's on Monday in their final one-day international before they launch the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh across London at the Oval on Thursday.
The reverse was notable for England slumping to 20 for six in the first five overs -- the worst start by any side in ODI cricket history.
Several batsmen tried to hit their way out of trouble against Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell despite accurate bowling from the new-ball duo made more dangerous by cloudy skies and a green-tinged pitch.
Afterwards, England captain Eoin Morgan was critical of the strip prepared at his Lord's home ground.
But overcast conditions, which aid swing bowling, are beyond anyone's control and it may be that batsmen need to play themselves in a bit first in such circumstances, as England's Jonny Bairstow did while top-scoring for the hosts with a fifty at Lord's.
Australian coach Bayliss, however, was keen Monday's reverse does not lead to a policy change given England's impressive 'white-ball' revival in the two years since a defeat by Bangladesh sealed their first-round exit from the 2015 World Cup.
"I haven't seen a team win a global tournament playing defensively," said Bayliss.
"It's always a team that backs itself and plays bold cricket," the former Sri Lanka coach added. "From that point of view the message won't change."
Bayliss has also emphasised the need for consistency in selection, but that will be put to the test as England ponder whether to stick with struggling opener Jason Roy, who plays at the Oval for Surrey, or give Bairstow a shot at the top of the order instead.
England's stunning slump against South Africa featured Roy's fourth single-figure score in his last five innings.
By contrast, Bairstow has now scored three fifties in his last four ODI innings yet still is not an England white-ball regular.
He has opened in limited overs cricket at county level, making 174 for Yorkshire against Durham this month.
Bayliss, summing up England's dilemma, said: "Do you back someone who's been important to us in the last couple of years, or do you go to someone that is in form?
"That's a decision we have got to make."
Turning to Roy, he admitted: "You worry about anyone that is out of runs.
"But he's been important to us in the last two years, the way he plays at the top of the order, so for us to do well in this tournament, one of the things we will need is Jason playing well.
"Having said that, the way Jonny is playing -- and he has shown to us this year he can play at the top of the order - we're in a good position with someone who is ready and raring to go."
Meanwhile Bayliss reckoned there was little to be gained from asking Roy to rein himself in.
"Jason is probably one of the guys who you say, 'If the ball is there you hit it', whether that's first or second ball," he said.
"Sometimes some of those players can get into a bit of a rut and start thinking about too much, rather than just keeping it nice and simple and just see the ball and hit it."
England have never won a major global ODI event but Bayliss was cautiously optimistic about their Champions Trophy prospects.
"We've got a chance," he said.
"I'm not saying we're outright favourites, there are a lot of good teams that can beat anyone on their day."
