England coach Trevor Bayliss has come in Team India’s defense as they were criticised for lack of preparation for the ongoing Test series, saying the beleaguered visitors couldn’t have fit in more practice than what they did before the disastrous first two Tests. India trail 0-2 in the five-match series, which will continue in Nottingham with the third Test starting Saturday.

Talking to the reporters after the second Test, Bayliss said, “The simple fact is, teams like Australia, India, and England play so much cricket. I’m sure everyone would love to play more warm-up matches than they do. You simply can’t fit them in. Somewhere along the lines, the players have to have some sort of rest. Most will play all the games but to keep putting more practice matches in, it’s almost impossible.”

India played just one practice match ahead of the Test series and even it was curtailed to three days from the originally planned four days. The preparations of the visitors were immensely criticised by veterans like Sunil Gavaskar, who has questioned the logic of not having more build-up matches.

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Bayliss said his team faces the similar dilemma while travelling. He explained “We play the practice matches that we do and get asked the same questions if your preparation right. Well, we’d love to have a few more games. But there aren’t 10 days in a week.” 

The English coach would like helpful conditions at Trent Bridge as well, on account of home advantage, and also for the fact that it would help demoralize the teams in the sub-continentals. He also acknowledged that elements played a favorable role for his team in the second Test where England got to bat in bright sunshine and bowl under the overcast conditions.

Talking about the conditions, Bayliss said, “There wasn’t as much swing the second day but some movement off the wicket, which is difficult to handle. Then it started to swing a little bit again. When the ball is swinging around they have some difficulties, as it is when it’s spinning and we go to the subcontinent. It’s a challenge for any team to play in conditions you’re not used to and some of them are struggling a little bit.”

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For the third Test, England has named an unchanged squad for the third Test and the star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been excluded as he is absolved of affray in the on-going court case in Bristol. Bayliss said that Chris Woakes filled out the gaps easily at Lord’s.

Talking about the same, Trevor Bayliss said, “I haven’t even thought about it at this stage. We will make a decision when we know what happens. (But) The team blocked it out, and the results speak for themselves. The guys are able to put anything off field out of their mind and concentrate on what they’re doing, and this was the perfect example.”