The England cricket establishment has not handled its affairs efficiently of late.
– England stun New Zealand to win first Test
– #360cricket: Zimbabwe tour will raise Pakistan’s cricket
– Stokes and Cook hit centuries as England dominate Day Four
Be it the sacking of coach Peter Moores, the banishing of Kevin Pietersen due to a lack of trust or the subsequent offer of a mentor’s role to the same player, they have made some unconvincing decisions.
However, what cannot be denied is that they have chosen a specific path for English cricket and they are sticking to it.
That journey is being led by director of cricket Andrew Strauss.
He is clear in his views and wants the team to follow a route where discipline and compliance to rules are of utmost importance.
RESULT: @englandcricket beat @blackcaps to win first @InvestecCricket Test of summer #EngvNZ #LoveLords pic.twitter.com/rAtaQLiHPf
— Lord’s Ground (@HomeOfCricket) May 25, 2015
That attitude is reflected in the way Pietersen was shown the door despite having scored a triple century in a county match and also in the move to have Trevor Bayliss as the new coach.
Many expected another Aussie – Yorkshire coach and former fast bowler Jason Gillespie – to make the cut but it turned out Bayliss was the first choice candidate.
On the face of it, the decision seems strange but it actually goes perfectly with the way England management has acted recently.
Bayliss has coached various teams, including Sri Lanka, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
He helped the Lankans reach the final of the 2011 World Cup and even coached Australia during a T20 series against South Africa last year.
Though he doesn’t have the flamboyance of a Gillespie, he has pedigree and more importantly, keeps a low profile.
England seem to have had enough of larger-than-life figures.
Whether it’s former head coach Andy Flower or Pietersen, they attracted too much attention for the management’s liking and it therefore comes as no surprise that they have decided to go with Bayliss.
The Australian is a proven performer and is most likely to allow Alastair Cook and Strauss all the room they need to take the team forward.
Had they selected Gillespie, there would have been a danger of clash of personalities. Gillespie was a world class cricketer and might not have been content with being just a facilitator.
That’s what Bayliss is expected to do – help Strauss and Cook mould a young England team on their principles.
He had earlier been approached for the position after Flower was no longer England coach but lost that race to Moores.
However, Bayliss remained in England’s radar and he now has the opportunity to play a part in England’s revival mission.
“Lord’s was rocking,” said Cooky after our amazing win over New Zealand #EngvNZ https://t.co/zGxGIyJdu6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 25, 2015
There is no doubt that he has been picked to boost the limited overs fortunes of the team, given his experience with the Sri Lankans and T20 sides.
But one must not forget that the Test side aren’t exactly world beaters as yet. Yes they have proven their class in the first Test against New Zealand but there is the Ashes coming up in July.
The Aussies will throw everything they have at the Englishmen and if Cook fails to fire, he will be under more scrutiny and in such a scenario, Bayliss will have his task cut out.
England have made their decision and it’s one they are accustomed to. A calm and compliant dressing room is their target right now and they will surely get it.
Whether it translates into success on the field is another matter. But at least it will be just about the team.
