Word Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss has joined Sydney Thunder as their head coach for the next three seasons of the Big Bash League, as announced in a press release by the team. The 58-year-old, who is already a life member of a Western Sydney club, the Penrith Cricket Club, is more than excited to be reunited with the team that represents his part of the city.
“It’s great to be home and involved in New South Wales cricket,” said Bayliss. “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,” added the man who has taken England to ICC ODI World Cup victory in 2019, Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles and Thunder’s cross-town rival Sydney Sixers to their inaugural BBL title.
Bayliss also feels that getting the crowds back in the stadium will push players to achieve more fruitful results performance-wise. “Hopefully this year we can get some crowds back into the matches and making plenty of noise,” he said.
“My experience over the years is that these players are at their best when there is some good atmosphere around the match so hopefully, we can put on a good show for the fans,” he added.
Bayliss, a New South Wales First-Class player himself, will replace Shane Bond, who had more than a decent season with Thunder, taking them to the Finals stage where they bowed out in Eliminator. Bayliss is also head coach of Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad.