Bayliss set for exit door

ENGLAND cricket coach Trevor Bayliss will walk away at the end of his contract in 2019 but has vowed to begin the job of building a team ready to win in Australia.

Bayliss insisted the 4-0 Ashes defeat, which was confirmed with this week’s crushing loss in Sydney, had no bearing on a decision that had long been made and it had never been his intention to stay longer.

Having started his tenure by winning the urn in England in 2015, he will sign off next September after another home Ashes contest.

“I told Andrew Strauss (director of England cricket) probably 12 months ago that September 2019 is when I’m contracted to and that would see me out,” he said.

“I’ve never been anywhere any more than four or five years.

“Whether you’re going well or not I’ve always felt that round about that four-year mark is time to change.

“A new voice, a slightly different approach slightly reinvigorates things, so I passed that on to him 12 months ago.”

Announcing his plans shows admirable honesty from the plain-speaking 55-year-old.

However, with English fans, players and administrators all desperate for an improved showing Down Under in four years’ time, it is also a brave step.

Put simply, many of the most important issues facing the national coach, over selection, style and even infrastructure, will be overseen by a man who will be gone before crunch time arrives.

It puts him in a position somewhat akin to second-term president, trying to institute initiatives he will not benefit from and which could be easily reversed.

Gavin Byers (left) will skipper Scotland in Cyprus.