Bayliss honoured to take on England role

Australian Trevor Bayliss says he’s honoured to be appointed England’s next cricket coach after it was confirmed the 52-year-old will take charge of the team ahead of the upcoming Ashes series in the UK.

Bayliss, who is currently NSW’s coach, is due to join England next month “in time to take charge of the team for the start of the Ashes Test series in July,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It’s an honour to be appointed England coach,” Bayliss said in the statement.

“There’s a great opportunity to help (captains) Alastair Cook and Eoin Morgan shape the direction and development of their respective (Test and one-day) teams.”

Bayliss led NSW to two Sheffield Shield titles, helped Sri Lanka to the 2011 World Cup final and won the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Widely regarded for his cricket acumen, Bayliss has always preferred to stay out of the limelight and work behind the scenes but may not find that easy in the England job which attracts such close media scrutiny.

He is a former colleague of current England caretaker coach Paul Farbrace who will continue as an assistant.

The pair joined forces in Sri Lanka and together endured the 2009 terrorist attack on the team bus in Pakistan.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Paul Farbrace once again as we have a similar outlook on the game, get on well after two years working together and have kept in touch,” Bayliss said on Tuesday.

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