England Head Coach Trevor Bayliss was pleased to welcome back Ben Stokes into the squad for the third Specsavers test match against India, starting on Saturday. 

The Durham all-rounder arrived at Trent Bridge today after being found not guilty of affray at Bristol Crown Court earlier this week to join up with his England teammates, and Bayliss believes that being back around the squad will be beneficial for Stokes. 

“It’s good to have him back around the squad. We’re happy for Ben and glad that it’s all over,” he said. 

“I haven’t actually spoken to him since, I’m sure he’s had plenty of phone calls, but we’ve got the next two days to assess where he’s at.

"It was a collective decision [to bring Stokes back]; myself, management, the captain, Andy Flower, Ed Smith, the board. 

“Everyone had a bit of a say and basically thought that for his own wellbeing, it was good to get him back around cricket.”

However, with Stokes’ return, Bayliss now has a selection dilemma on his hands following the convincing win over the tourists inside four days at Lord’s.

Chris Woakes celebrates the wicket of Ishant Sharma during the second test at Lord's

With man of the match performances from Sam Curran and Chris Woakes giving England a 2-0 lead in the series, Stokes regaining his place in the starting eleven is not guaranteed.

"There is nothing automatic about selection. It's a good position to be in, as we've got some guys in form in the team,” he said.

“It's going to be a difficult decision to make, whoever misses out, whether that is Ben or someone else. 

"It's a position we've been trying to get to in the Test team for quite a while. The one-day team is a difficult team to select, the Test team has been difficult for other reasons. 

“But we're starting to get some good, young players come into the team, which makes the job of the selectors difficult."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Stokes’ inclusion in the squad, India Head Coach Ravi Shastri believes he should be picked. 

"We focus on cricket. He's a terrific cricketer," he said. 

Ben Stokes during England's victory over India in the first test at Edgbaston.

"We like to play against top cricketers. It's as simple as that.

"He's been cleared by the courts. What's the reason for him not to play?"

Shastri himself has come under fire recently following India’s performances in the series so far. 

The tourist’s Head Coach conceded that it was a mistake to play Kuldeep Yadav as an extra spinner in the last test at Lord’s. 

“In hindsight it was an error,” he said. 

“We should have gone with an extra seamer seeing the conditions, that might have helped. 

“Then again you didn’t know how much it would rain, whether the match will go into the final day and just in case a spinner is needed, and the ball starts to turn, we would have needed him. 

Kuldeep Yadav during the second test at Lord's.

“But in hindsight the way things panned out, the amount it rained, the amount of time we lost. A seamer could have been a better option.” 

Shastri knows that his side have struggled with English conditions during the first two games of the series, but the 56-year-old has backed his batsman to respond. 

"Conditions have been tough as we have seen right through this series,” he said.

“That's where character and mental resolve comes into play. 

“You should know where your off stump is, leave a lot of balls and be prepared to look ugly and dirty and show some grit."

Despite visibly struggling with back problems at Lord’s, Shastri also believes that talisman Virat Kohli will be fit for the test after taking part in net sessions today. 

"Kohli is feeling much better. In the nets, he's moving much better and improving by the day,” he said.

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England play India in the third Specsavers Test Match at Trent Bridge from 18 - 22 August. Secure your seats from £20 by clicking here...