CHITTAGONG (BANGLADESH) - England coach Trevor Bayliss has backed Ben Stokes to become one of cricket's all-time greats, joking the combative allrounder is likely to deck anyone who dares give him a rest. In a match otherwise dominated by spin, Stokes took six wickets with a mixture of classic seam and reverse swing that underlined his growing intelligence as a bowler and importance to the pace attack. Bayliss said the 25-year-old was still at a relatively early stage in his career but had the potential to be an all-time great. The potential of the guy -- he could be right up there with some of the all-time best all-rounders," Bayliss told reporters in Chittagong. Asked if Stokes could play all seven Tests, Bayliss said it would took a brave man to bet against it and indicated that he would more likely be given a breather between the Tests.

Source: Bangkok Post October 26, 2016 02:37 UTC