Bayliss resumes as New South Wales coach

ESPNCricinfo: Trevor Bayliss has been handed back his former job as the New South Wales state coach, after the Blues’ previous administration ignored his application in 2011.

In a clear indicator of the state’s new - or perhaps old - direction, Bayliss was appointed as head coach with a brief to oversee a change in the state’s coaching structure, likely to include a far more comprehensive network of specialist mentors.

Bayliss and his assistant Chandika Hathurusinghe will also oversee the state’s two Big Bash League teams, in a replication of the structure chosen by Victoria, where the Bushrangers head coach Greg Shipperd and his deputy Simon Helmot guide the Melbourne Stars and Renegades respectively.

The decision to appoint Bayliss was made by a panel including the former NSW captains Mark Taylor, Geoff Lawson and Stuart Clark, as the views of past players are increasingly sought by the state’s administration. Michael Bevan was another applicant, and may yet be employed as a batting coach.

Two years ago Bayliss returned home to NSW after a successful stint as coach of Sri Lanka, and was eager to reclaim his former role as Matthew Mott departed. However the chief executive David Gilbert preferred to appoint the less experienced Anthony Stuart, leaving Bayliss to coach the Sydney Sixers in the BBL.

Bayliss will retain his other coaching job at the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, as provisions have now been made in state coaching contracts to allow a two-month window for the tournament.