Trevor Bayliss has announced he will step down as England head coach after next year’s Ashes series - but some fans and critics want to see him leave the position now following the disastrous winter tour of Australia.
England were hammered 4-0 in the Ashes series down under, and the squad’s preparations were upset by a number of off-the-field drink-related incidents.
Bayliss confirmed today that he will work until his contract ends, in September 2019, and will continue to lead England for next year’s World Cup and the Ashes series - both on home soil.
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The 55-year-old Australian has “pleaded for patience”, says The Daily Telegraph, as he looks to rebuild the Test squad after the Ashes mauling by his home nation.
Appointed in 2015, Bayliss told England director of cricket Andrew Strauss a year ago that he would see out his contract and then leave the role, the BBC reports. He told the broadcaster: “I’m contracted to September 2019 and that will see me out. I’ve always felt that it’s time for a change around that four-year mark. A new voice and a different approach reinvigorates things.”
Bayliss will oversee a transition in the Test squad and lay the foundations alongside skipper Joe Root for next year’s Ashes home series and the tour of Australia in 2021-22.
Bayliss told The Guardian: “[Joe] Root will still be there as captain and there’s a base of six or seven players that will still be young and good enough to be in the team. The captain is in charge – we’re there to help out. You leave a coaching position, hopefully, with the team in a better place than when you started. I’ve got no problem working towards a long-term goal, even if I’m not going to be there.”
Although Bayliss led England to an Ashes series victory in 2015, recent Test results have been disappointing: England have not won an away Test in 11 matches. They will next face New Zealand twice in March, with the squad to be announced tomorrow at 10pm UK time.
A number of critics believe that England’s poor Test form and the crushing 4-0 Ashes defeat means Bayliss should leave his role now.
Something has to change, says Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard. “Bayliss is paid the best part of £500,000 per year to coach England and with the one-day and Twenty20 sides, he has overseen a clear improvement - albeit without a global title to show for it.
“In the Test game, he has made virtually no difference at all: on his watch, England’s balance sheet reads played 38, won 15, drawn 5, lost 18. Overseas, that is played 19, won three, drawn four, lost 12.”
Collomosse is not the only critic of Bayliss. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:
“He needs to go”.
“He may be sacked before then.”
A similar response…
“We are pure garbage.”
“Lost more Tests than won.”
“Going through the motions.”
Michael Vaughan to replace Bayliss?
