“He is a good batter but at this stage he is unavailable”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England head coach Trevor Bayliss has refused to be drawn into whether he would include Kevin Pietersen in the Test squad for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

Instead, Bayliss made it clear that Pietesen was not available for selection as he is currently representing the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

“Look, apparently, he’s unavailable for selection, so that’s all I know at this stage,” Bayliss told Fox Sports. “He is a good batter but at this stage he is unavailable, so that’s all I know.”

Bayliss is also confident that England will put up a good fight against Australia, especially after they beat New Zealand 3-2 in the recently concluded ODI series and clinched the one-off Twenty20 International as well.

“It’s been quite exciting, the series against New Zealand, the Tests and the one-dayers — got some new, young players in there with plenty of skill, plenty of enthusiasm,” he said. “So it sounds like they’re in a good place, they look like they’re enjoying themselves out in the field and that’s the main thing.”

Bayliss added that he will stick to the same methods he has used throughout his coaching career.

“I’m looking forward to it, to be involved in an Ashes series will be some good fun, I think,” he said. “I will be just doing the things I normally do with any of the cricket teams I’ve been involved with, and hopefully that means England will be playing some good cricket.

“I’m confident of putting up a good show and if they play some good cricket they’ll be a chance of winning.”