Monday 4 April 2016 19:23, UK
England coach Trevor Bayliss expects Ben Stokes to continue putting himself in pressure situations despite his harrowing experience in the World Twenty20 final.
Stokes, who was England's go-to death bowler throughout the tournament, was the fall guy at Eden Gardens on Sunday as, with West Indies needing 19 to win off the final over, Carlos Brathwaite launched him for four successive sixes to claim victory.
Stokes was visibly upset as he crouched in despair amid the wild Caribbean celebrations, but Bayliss is confident there will be no lasting damage.
"He is one of those blokes - if we had a game tomorrow, he'd put his hand up to bowl the last over again," Bayliss said.
"No-one is blaming Stokesy for anything. To be honest, he is the heart and soul of this team. If everyone put in half as much as Stokesy does, we'd go a long way.
"You can't fault Ben's leadership in the team or the effort he puts in. It doesn't matter whether he is batting, bowling or fielding, he gives you 100 per cent until there's nothing in the tank.
"The more of those type of cricketers we can produce, the better for England cricket."
Stokes, not for the first time, found himself in an angry exchange with West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels as the drama reached its conclusion.
"I think there is a bit of history between those two from the last England tour to the West Indies," added Bayliss.
"Ben's one of those players that feeds off that. Some players sometimes say things and they can't really back it up. But Stokesy is one of those players... that's what turns him on, that's what gets his juices flowing and makes him as good as he is.
"He's not the only one around the world. There are a number of other players who do the same thing - almost create their own controversy, or whatever you want to call it, to psyche themselves up and get their head in the game. It brings the best out of him."
