Trevor Bayliss warns England players to mind their language after Kagiso Rabada ban

Don’t say a word: Dean Elgar silences Kagiso Rabada after the South Africa strike bowler removes Ben Stokes again
Rex Features
Tom Collomosse10 July 2017

England players must be extra careful to mind their language after South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada received a one-Test ban for swearing, coach Trevor Bayliss admitted today.

Rabada will miss the Second Test at Trent Bridge, which starts on Friday, after his foul-mouthed volley at Ben Stokes on the first day of the Lord’s Test. England won by 211 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match Investec Series.

Rabada’s offence earned him a fourth demerit point within a 24-month period, which brings an automatic one-game suspension under ICC rules. Rabada’s insult could be heard clearly over the stump microphones and Bayliss warned the England players to be particularly vigilant from now on.

“These are the rules and regulations the boys play under and they have to be careful,” said Bayliss. “In this day and age the stump microphones are right there and the ICC are trying to crack down on it.

“It’s probably fair enough for them to do that. These types of messages are going into living rooms around the world and kids are seeing and hearing that type of language.

“The players know the situation but in the heat of the moment sometimes you are not careful. As long as the umpires and match referees are consistent across the board, the players will understand fully.”

Rabada’s absence in Nottingham gives England a further lift after Joe Root celebrated his first game as Test captain with a comprehensive win.

Rabada is a highly dangerous bowler when at his best. He has 77 wickets in his 18 Tests, at just 24 apiece.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The England selectors have named an unchanged squad for the Second Test and, barring injury or conditions that would clearly favour swing and seam, they are likely to stick with the same XI.

Bayliss added: “Joe was a little more on edge before the Test than I’d seen him before but he was himself throughout the game. He is a fairly confident young bloke and he backs himself to handle the situation.”

Dean Elgar, who captained South Africa at Lord’s, said Rabada had “possibly” let the team down and that the 22-year-old had apologised to senior tour officials.

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