Wednesday 27 May 2015 11:23, UK
England selector Angus Fraser says he is confident that newly-named head coach Trevor Bayliss will do a “very good job”.
The 52-year-old Bayliss has been hired by the ECB’s new Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss and will take charge ahead of the Ashes series against his native Australia, which starts in early July.
Bayliss has extensive coaching experience in Australia, and also with the Sri Lanka national team and in the Indian Premier League, and Fraser says he appears to be very well-regarded.
“I have heard good reports about him and he was on the shortlist for the job when Peter Moores got it last year,” Fraser told Sky Sports News HQ.
“I am aware of his success with Sri Lanka and in the IPL and I have had good chats about what he has to offer with an old mate of mine, Michael Houlihan, who plays for Penrith, which is where Trevor Bayliss is from.
“He has got a really good CV and I think he will be very popular and do a very good job.
“Andrew Strauss has done his work, this is the decision he has come to, and I think everybody is looking forward to working with him.
Andrew said he was looking for someone who fills the ideals that he wants and will take the team in the direction he wants and, in Trevor, he has got that.
“Andrew said he was looking for someone who fills the ideals that he wants and will take the team in the direction he wants and, in Trevor, he has got that.”
England’s recent performances in one-day cricket have been poor, highlighted by their failure to qualify for the knock-out stages of the recent World Cup, and Fraser agrees that Bayliss’ track of record of success in the shorter formats can only have boosted his candidacy.
“It is something Andrew has mentioned and something they are aware of and I think we all know the World Cup performance was not something we wanted,” said Fraser.
“Getting someone in who has had success in that area of cricket means we will get some good advice and he will be a very important figure in guiding and preparing the side for these matches.”
Bayliss will be assisted in his new job by Paul Fabrace, who he has worked successfully with before.
And interim coach Farbrace has just helped England to a thrilling first Test win over New Zealand, with a whirlwind hundred from Ben Stokes one of many highlights for the hosts.
“It was great to see the side playing well,” said Fraser. “There are some good young cricketers there and hopefully their development will continue.
“It is always exciting when someone goes out and plays like Ben did. I was there on Sunday when he smashed that hundred and it was one of the better afternoons of international cricket that I have watched.
“Despite some of the negativity that has been around the England side for a period of time, those of us on the inside have had quiet reasons for optimism, because there is some exciting talent around.
“They are not going to get it right every time but, when they do get it right, it is something to look forward to.”
