Trevor Bayliss, a former England coach, was named coach of the Sydney Thunder on Thursday, and the Australian expressed his delight at returning home. The 58-year-old, who led England to victory in the 2019 World Cup in one-day cricket, will lead the squad for the next three Twenty20 Big Bash League seasons. “It’s amazing to be back in New South Wales and active in cricket,” said Bayliss, who previously led the Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL victories.
“The Thunder have had a good run in recent years. Hopefully, this summer, we will be able to take one or two more leaps forward. My main objective is to win as many matches as possible and play in the final.”
Last season, the Thunder finished third.
Bayliss succeeds Shane Bond, the current head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who stepped down in April due to family obligations.
David Saker, a former fast bowling coach with Australia, England, and Sri Lanka, has been named as the head coach of the Melbourne Renegades.
He takes over at a team that has finished last in the BBL for the previous two seasons under Michael Klinger, who has departed to work for Cricket NSW.