'Ben Stokes is the first pick' – Trevor Bayliss

With his ability to make an impact with bat, ball and in the field, Ben Stokes is a very valuable asset for England. In the Test series against Sri Lanka, he finished with five wickets – the most for a fast bowler from either side – at an average of 20.40, often coming in to give things a stir with his seam bowling if the Sri Lankans got too comfortable playing the spinners.

With the bat, he scored 187 runs at 31.16, chipping in with noteworthy contributions without setting things ablaze. And his athleticism and energy in the field was – as always – for all to witness. In individual departments, Stokes might not have had very compelling returns, but it is the overall package that makes him coach Bayliss' first choice.

"You can throw the ball to him, you can put him in any situation with the bat, you can put him where the ball is coming in the field [he took nine catches in this series]," gushed Bayliss. "For me he’s the first pick. His averages may not be the greatest. But you add those three disciplines together and it adds up to one hell of a player."

The coach was also pleased by the application shown by Jonny Bairstow in scoring a match-winning century in the final Test despite just coming off a brief injury layoff. Bairstow scored a fine 110 from No.3 – a position Bayliss feels Bairstow could make his own even on the more seaming surfaces of England.

"In these conditions, batting at three is no problem for Jonny," Bayliss said. "His challenge will be when we get home on to the seaming decks but he’s certainly a very talented player and I’m sure he’ll do whatever he can to adapt his game to that position at home as well."

Bairstow was ruled out from the first couple of Tests due to an injury sustained while playing football at training. As big a blow as that was, it paved way for the selection of Ben Foakes, who responded to the challenge in his maiden Test series with remarkable returns, securing the Player of the Series award for his 277 runs at 69.25 and his work behind the stumps.

Foakes' strong performances in the middle-order have added another dimension to England's wicket-keeper contest. Bairstow has publicly stated that he would like to keep the gloves, but in the recent past his claim to the position has been threatened first by Jos Buttler and now Foakes, who performed those duties in the final Test despite both Buttler and Bairstow being in the XI.

"You do not want it to put any undue pressure on other people but it does keep the other guys in the team in some of those positions on their toes. That is a good thing when you have competition for spaces and depth to select from. Even Jos Buttler wants to keep but the way Foakesy has gone on in this series he will definitely be there for the next one," said Bayliss.