Trevor Bayliss: 'Kick up the backside' for England was just a reminder
Monday 18 January 2016 08:41, UK
Trevor Bayliss has attempted to play down his role in England's emphatic third Test victory over South Africa at the Wanderers.
Captain Alastair Cook credited "a kick up the backside" from head coach Bayliss during the lunch session on Saturday for the series-clinching success over the No 1-ranked Test team.
South Africa ended the first session on the third day on 16-0 in their second innings, giving them a lead of six runs over the tourists with the match appearing to be well-balanced.
However, England returned to the field after lunch with renewed vigour after a few words from Bayliss and the hosts were skittled for just 83 - Stuart Broad claiming 6-17 - before the tourists wrapped up a seven-wicket success.
But Bayliss told Sky Sports News HQ: "From my point of view it certainly wasn't a kick up the backside but just, I suppose, a bit of a reminder about what we've done well in the field and how we have put pressure on the opposition in the past when we've played well.
"I thought that was probably lacking a little bit in the 20 minutes before lunch and probably in the first innings as well, so it was a bit of a reminder about getting the attitude right, the energy in the field and putting the pressure on the opposition.
"I thought we went out after lunch and it was quite evident that we were doing that."
Bayliss believes England should be proud of their performances in South Africa after going 2-0 up in the four-match series with only one Test remaining.
He added on Sunday morning: "It really hasn't sunk in, the boys were obviously very happy last night; not just to win the Test match, but to win the series against the No 1 team in the world in their own backyard was a very good achievement."
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