England coach wants Stokes apology

Ben Stokes is not an automatic choice for the third Test against India, insists England coach Trevor Bayliss.

Stokes was cleared of affray on Tuesday over a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol last year, which prosecutors said had left two men unconscious.

"It was thought that for his own well-being it was good to get Ben back around the cricket," Bayliss said ahead of the clash at Trent Bridge that starts on Saturday.

"There's nothing automatic about selections, we'll see how he is mentally as well as physically. We'll find out over the next couple of days, I haven't spoken to him yet. We've got the next two days to assess where he's at."

Stokes picked up six wickets in the first Test as England defeated India by 31 runs. Due to his court hearing, he was left out of the second of the five-match series as the hosts doubled their advantage with an innings victory last week.

His replacement Chris Woakes made an unbeaten 137 and picked up four wickets to be named player of the match at Lord's.

"It's a good position to be in from a selection point of view," Bayliss added.

"We've got some guys in form. It will be a difficult decision to make. Whether it's Ben or someone else."

Bayliss called on Stokes to make a public apology over the events which led to his eventual acquittal for affray.

Within two hours of the end of the case, England announced their premier allrounder was being added to their squad for the third Test against India at Trent Bridge.

Stokes was back at practice on Thursday as Bayliss acknowledged a public apology should and probably will be forthcoming.

He pointed out Stokes has already apologised to his teammates, in New Zealand last winter when he rejoined them after having to miss the Ashes while a criminal charge was being considered.

Asked if Stokes should make the same comments publicly, Bayliss said: "Certainly.

"I think it was important to actually apologise to the boys in the team, management of the team and management at the ECB who had to go through a lot of extra activities to work our way through it."

As to whether that will be relayed to a wider audience, he added: "I'm sure something will be forthcoming. That'll be up to Ben and his management team, I suppose.

"But certainly, when he came out to New Zealand he addressed the players in the changing room when he first arrived.

"So from our point of view, his contrition was evident for the boys in the team."

Stokes missed six Test matches – including last week's at Lord's, which clashed with his court case – and 11 limited-overs fixtures for England, as a result of the night out in Bristol.

India coach Ravi Shastri told the team's misfiring batsmen to show more discipline to avoid another Test series defeat in England. The visitors were beaten 3-1 four years ago.

"Conditions have been tough right through this series. That's where character and discipline come into play. The resolve to know where your off stump is, leave a lot of balls, be prepared to look ugly and dirty and show grit," Shastri said.

Shastri said skipper Virat Kohli was feeling much better after struggling with back pain in the second Test.