World Cup-winner Bayliss takes reins at Sydney Thunder

Friday, 4 June 2021 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Trevor Bayliss

SYDNEY (AFP): Former England coach Trevor Bayliss was appointed as Head Coach at Sydney Thunder yesterday, with the Australian saying he was excited to be heading home.

The 58-year-old, who masterminded England’s one-day World Cup triumph in 2019 and guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup final in 2011, will coach the team for the next three Twenty20 Big Bash League seasons.

“It’s great to be home and involved in New South Wales cricket,” said Bayliss, who also guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League titles.

“The Thunder have done well over the last few years. Hopefully, we can go one or two steps further this summer. To win as many matches as possible and compete in the final is my number one goal.”

The Thunder finished third last season.

Bayliss, the current head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, takes over from New Zealander Shane Bond, who stepped down in April for family reasons.

The Melbourne Renegades also announced a new coach in David Saker, who was previously fast-bowling coach with Australia, England and Sri Lanka.

He takes over at a club that finished last in the past two BBL seasons under Michael Klinger, who has left for a job at Cricket NSW.