Trent Johnston named coach of New South Wales

Trent Johnston, the former Ireland captain, has been named as the new coach of New South Wales. Johnston had joined New South Wales last September as an assistant to coach Trevor Bayliss, and has now been handed the top job after Bayliss was appointed to lead England.

Although best known for his work with Ireland, for whom he played at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, Johnston was also a former New South Wales player and made his first-class debut for the state in March 1999. After he retired as a player in December 2013 he moved into coaching, initially as head coach of the Ireland women's team.

"The NSW way is to back young talent and we are delighted to offer Trent the opportunity to lead the NSW Blues," Cricket New South Wales chief executive Andrew Jones said. "I am confident he will be an outstanding success.

"Trent is an emerging coach who has performed as a NSW assistant coach and a head coach at the youth, club and inter-provincial level both here and overseas. He is past Blues player with substantial playing and leadership experience and he has formed strong relationships and established credibility with our players since returning to Cricket NSW."

Johnston had taken over in an interim capacity after Bayliss departed, and he said he was looking forward to continuing his work with the squad.

"The NSW Blues are about producing Australian players and winning national titles," Johnston said. "We have a very talented squad ranging from experienced international players to rookies who are at the start of their professional careers. I look forward to helping all of them to achieve our team goals, as well as their personal ones.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I am ready to take this next step in my career. I am passionate about cricket, I am passionate about coaching and I am passionate about NSW."

Cricket New South Wales is still searching for a new Sydney Sixers coach, with an announcement expected in August.