Trevor Bayliss says England will 'put up a good show' in Ashes
Friday 26 June 2015 17:44, UK
England's new head coach Trevor Bayliss is looking forward to taking over an England team buzzing over their recent wins.
After a miserable World Cup campaign earlier this year, few would have expected the fireworks they have produced in a drawn Test series and thrilling ODI series win over New Zealand, followed by another dazzling display on Tuesday night against the Black Caps in a one-off T20.
With the start of the Ashes three weeks away, Bayliss revealed his thoughts at Sydney Airport before flying into UK to start his new job at the ECB after wrapping up his responsibilities with New South Wales.
In his first interview since his appointment on May 26, the 52-year-old Australian told Fox Sports: "It’s been quite an exciting series against New Zealand in the Tests and one-dayers.
"England have got some new players with plenty of skill and enthusiasm. It sounds like they are in a good place and enjoying themselves which is the main thing."
The first Ashes Test gets going in Cardiff on July 8 and Bayliss is looking forward to trying to help his new team bounce back from their 5-0 crushing against his countrymen when the sides last met in 2013-14.
"I’m looking forward to it," added Bayliss, who said his first priority was to get to know his players. "It’s an Ashes series and it will be good fun. I’ll be doing the things I normally do with the teams I’ve been involved with. Hopefully that means England will play some good cricket.
"Hopefully there’ll be two good teams playing good cricket and that’s a win win for the game of cricket.
"I’m confident of the team putting up a good show and if they play good cricket they’ll have a chance of winning."
Kevin Pietersen will be keeping a keen ear out for the words of the new coach having said last week that he still did not think the "door is totally closed" on his England career, declaring that he was in the form of his life.
Pietersen has been absent from the team since the Ashes whitewash early in 2014 with England director of cricket Andrew Strauss telling SSNHQ in May that the batsman was omitted from the squad due to a "massive trust issue" between him and the ECB.
Bayliss played his cards close to his chest when asked if he would like to see Pietersen return to the fold.
He added: "Apparently he’s unavailable. He’s a good batter and at this stage he’s unavailable for selection and that’s all I know at this stage."
The first Investec Ashes Test is live from Cardiff on our dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel from Wednesday July 8
