Monday 5 February 2018 10:10, UK
England head coach Trevor Bayliss admits one of his players may have to make way when Ben Stokes returns to action.
Stokes has not played for his country since an off-field incident in September but is due to rejoin the limited-overs squad in New Zealand next month after appearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court on a charge of affray.
England have performed well in limited overs cricket in his absence, with Sunday's 12-run victory in Perth securing a 4-1 one-day international series win against Australia.
Such is Stokes' value to the side that one member of the current squad can expect to lose their place once he returns, although Bayliss was keen to put a positive spin on this.
"It's a good problem to have, and he might not fit back in straight away, but I think everyone knows he is coming back in the team at some stage," he said.
"That keeps everyone on their toes, trying to score runs and putting their name forward to make sure they are not the ones who get pushed aside when he comes back."
On current form, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales would appear the players most likely to be replaced by Stokes.
In his role as captain he is at the forefront of the way the team is playing. He is a very important part of this team.
ODI skipper Eoin Morgan has also struggled for runs but Bayliss was keen to emphasise how important his overall contribution is to the team.
Managing his bowling options without Stokes at his disposal was potentially problematic, especially when Liam Plunkett pulled up injured in his second over in Sydney, but Morgan impressed Bayliss with his calmness under pressure.
"Morgs is the one leading the pack," Bayliss added. "In his role as captain he is at the forefront of the way the team is playing. He is a very important part of this team.
"The way he has led this team out here was fantastic, especially that Sydney match when we were down a bowler. The way he handled the bowling group then was top class.
"He always talks to the boys about backing themselves and their ability and the way they play and he leads from the front.
"From a batting point of view, Morgs is one of those guys who goes through a bit of a spell like that and then out of the blue he comes in and makes a heap of runs.
"If he is going through a bit of a lean trot, which batters do, he still goes out and tries to play that same way.
"We have got seven batters that are able to make hundreds in one-day cricket. He is one of them."
Watch New Zealand v England in the T20 Tri-Nations Series on February 13. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Cricket at 5:30am and Sky Sports Main Event at 6am.
Then follow England during their ODI series against New Zealand in February. Coverage of the opening match in Hamilton begins on February 25 at 12:30am on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
