The Ashes: Selector Fraser keen for England players to stay focussed
England selector Angus Fraser has warned the squad to ignore the 'white noise' surrounding Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.
The Ashes series in Australia has been overshadowed by the continued absence of key all-rounder Stokes and the headbutt row involving Bairstow. Stokes remains suspended while the Crown Prosecution Service decide whether to charge him over an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.
But his sudden trip to New Zealand, where he is set to play for regional side Canterbury on Sunday, has raised the prospect of a dramatic return to the squad.
Bairstow, meanwhile, came under the spotlight for his so-called headbutt greeting to Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft last month.
But former England bowler Fraser said: “It’s not ideal, but it’s a just bit of white noise going on around them.
“You look at the Jonny Bairstow thing and I’m sure he regrets greeting someone in such a manner. But I think the Aussies have done a job on us to be honest. As for Stokes, we are aware there maybe things taking place over the next week or so, but equally there are a lot of hurdles to overcome.
“The squad there is the squad you expect to finish the tour. It’s a point of debate, it creates news, but the squad of players are who have to try to win games of cricket.
“If something changes then you react. But I don’t think anyone is looking over their shoulder for a plane to come in to land.”
England head to Adelaide on Saturday for the day-night Test trailing 1-0 in the series following the 10-wicket defeat at The Gabba.
But Middlesex bowler Toby Roland-Jones, who was ruled out of the tour through injury, has backed Joe Root’s side to come back strongly.
Roland-Jones was speaking alongside Fraser as Middlesex launched ‘Little Lords’ at KidZania, Westfield Shepherd’s Bush.
He said: “It’s been competitive so far. A lot of the guys performed nicely in the first Test but some will wish they had pushed on a bit more, especially with the bat.
“Fingers crossed the big scores come in the second Test.
“The first game showed two well-matched sides with more in the tank to come.
“I think England will be arguably more prepared for what’s to come and the day-night will provide a surface to put the Aussies under pressure and hopefully come out on top.”