Bayliss driving Ali’s KO blows

THE Trevor Bayliss effect took hold on day two of the Ashes, as Australia’s NSW contingent fell into every trap set for them by their former coach.

England part-time spinner Moeen Ali was the unlikely star for the home side, with his removal of key men Steve Smith (33) and Michael Clarke (38) leaving the Australians 5-264 and 166 runs in arrears at stumps.

Earlier in the day No.8 batsman Ali smashed 77 off 88 to lift England’s total to 430.

Ali said Bayliss has already had a big influence on his bowling and also on the deliberate fields England set to the ICC No.1-ranked Test batsman, the Australian captain and David Warner (17).

The former NSW mentor has an intimate knowledge of the majority of Australia’s stars.

“He (Bayliss) knows a lot of their guys quite well,’’ Ali said. ‘‘He’s had an input. “But input has come from everybody.

‘‘Trevor’s more of a motivator – telling us to enjoy and play our best cricket.

“These guys are going to probably attack me more than India tried to last year.

‘‘I’m developing a few things, trying to mix up my pace a bit more now. Trevor Bayliss is quite big on that and me bowling all my variations.”

Having been slaughtered by Smith boundaries in a previous over, Ali saw the Australian star coming at him and deliberately dipped the ball in down the leg side.

Smith holed out at midwicket.

For Clarke Ali delivered his slowest ball of the day and got the job done, leaving Australia in trouble at 4-207.

“I’m always telling myself that I’m one ball away from getting a wicket,’’ Ali said.

“There’s going to be a lot of bad days ahead and hopefully some good days as well.

“I’m not too fussed about if it’s the Ashes or not, or who we’re playing against.

‘‘I just try and play the same way I do every day.”

Ali was on the verge of being dropped this series in favour of 27-year-old leg-spinner Adil Rashid – however the former top-order batsman is relishing the challenge of being the side’s top-line spinner post-Graeme Swann.