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Bayliss set to be named England coach

Trevor Bayliss is understood to have been offered the role of England coach ahead of fellow Australian Jason Gillespie

Trevor Bayliss has been offered the role of England coach ahead of fellow Australian Jason Gillespie.
Bayliss, 52, a former Sri Lanka coach who led them to the World Cup final in 2011, has also been a successful coach with New South Wales, Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash and Kolkata Knight Riders. The initial reports emerged in the UK and Australia Daily Telegraph newspapers and were later confirmed. It is believed that he was the ECB's first choice for the role after an interview process led by Andrew Strauss.
Bayliss would not fill the criteria of international playing experience, but his considerable coaching pedigree around the world has seemingly held sway. He briefly coached Australia last year during a Twenty20 series against South Africa.
Alastair Cook admitted it will be good to get the appointment confirmed although was out of the loop having been focussing on the final day at Lord's. "We are a little bit in limbo, not quite sure what's happening behind the scenes. it broke at lunch, and kind of took us all by surprise a little bit. I've probably now got to go and ring Andrew and see what's going on."
Gillespie, the current Yorkshire coach, had been the frontrunner for the job of next England coach even before Moores was sacked earlier this month following the tour of West Indies. He recently became Adelaide Strikers coach in the Big Bash although that contract had a clause allowing him to take up an international role if it was offered.
He confirmed that he had informed that the ECB had an alternative preferred candidate. "I've spoken to Andrew Strauss and I'm not that preferred candidate, so that's their call,'' Gillespie told Sky Sports News.
"I'd hardly say I'm disappointed but I think it would have been a good job to have, no question. There's exciting times ahead for English cricket and it would have been a great challenge, but it's not to be. I've got a wonderful job with Yorkshire and the Adelaide Strikers, and I'm really looking forward to continuing that work.''
Bayliss was interviewed a year ago when England searched for a replacement for Andy Flower before they eventually settled on returning to Peter Moores - an appointment that lasted barely 12 months. His appointment would see him reunited with Paul Farbrace who was his assistant with Sri Lanka.
Last year, during England's previous coach hunt, Bayliss said: "I am interested in hearing more about the job. I am happy doing the jobs I have got at the moment but when it comes to a position like that I would be silly not to find out what they have to say and finding out a bit more about it."
Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, has played under Bayliss in the IPL. "It's a bit different in the IPL because teams are made up slightly different but I really enjoyed working with Trevor, he's a champion fella, he's very relaxed in the background and I'm sure he'll have a very good relationship with Alastair and Eoin.
"He's had a lot of success of all the teams he's worked with. The majority of teams have gone on to be very good. He's a backroom guy, you won't see him front and centre all the time. He encourages you to play his game."