England go into the first Ashes Test in Cardiff from Wednesday with the new head coach, Trevor Bayliss, having already stamped his mark on the job by naming Adil Rashid, the uncapped Yorkshire leg-spinner, in the 13-man squad for the series opener.
Bayliss, making his first official appearance since being appointed by the director of cricket, Andrew Strauss, in May, outlined his vision which will place a strong emphasis on self-reliance from the players and aggressive cricket in all formats.
The 52-year-old Australian arrived in the country England last Thursday before spending four days at a training camp in Spain, where he familiarised himself with his new players. A selectors’ meeting followed at Lord’s on Wednesday morning, with Rashid, who remained behind to play for his county, the stand-out name.
“The good thing is Rashid is a leg-spinner who moves the ball both ways,” said Bayliss, who confirmed Moeen Ali remains the No1 slow bowler. “At some stage during this series I’d see him playing a part. It’s quite possible we would like to play two spinners somewhere if the conditions suit. He’s the next cab off the rank.”
Rashid, who claimed four wickets in the match as Yorkshire went top of the County Championship after completing an innings victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street, impressed during the 3-2 one-day series win over New Zealand and is now relishing the prospect of a possible Test debut.
“I found out as soon as I got off the field,” he said. “Dizzy [the Yorkshire coach, Jason Gillespie] was the first one who told me. He said: ‘Well done on your selection.’ I checked my phone and had a message from James Whitaker [the national selector]. I’m delighted, over the moon, and am looking forward to going there and seeing what happens.
“Over the past couple of years I think I’ve developed nicely, and this year I’ve concentrated on bowling a lot more variations and being attacking. I’m a lot more relaxed, looking to spin the ball both ways and have fun. I’m not really worried about going for runs. I look to attack and create chances and wickets. That’s all I’ve been thinking over the last two years.”
For Gillespie there is little doubt the wrist-spinner who claimed 46 victims in his side’s title win last season can make the step up to Test level. And the former Australia fast bowler, who missed out to Bayliss in the running for the England job, praised the one-day captain, Eoin Morgan, for boosting his confidence in limited-overs cricket. “I’ve said for a long time that he’s good enough to play at the next level,” said Gillespie. “He’s shown in the one-dayers over the last few weeks he has learned a lot. He was used well by Eoin Morgan – I thought it was brilliant. That gave him a lot of confidence. If he gets an opportunity during the Test summer, he certainly has my endorsement. He will be fine.”
Bayliss, who left roles with New South Wales and the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders to become England’s first Australian head coach, admits he is still getting to know his captain, Alastair Cook, but believes the pair can emerge victorious this summer by matching his countrymen’s aggressive intent.
“We had some good chats in Spain. I think with this group of players he’s got you will see a bright, attacking style of cricket being played,” he said.
“To be successful against Australia it’s certainly not going to be by taking a backward step or allowing them just to dictate terms. You’ve got to get out and fight fire with fire, be positive and aggressive and the individuals have to play their own natural game.”
Rashid aside, there were no other surprises in England’s plans for Cardiff, with the XI that played the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley last month also joined by the fast bowler Steven Finn. The left-armer Mark Footitt misses out, while Liam Plunkett is still nursing the calf strain that curtailed his involvement against New Zealand.
Bayliss also confirmed the Test batting order would remain the same with Gary Ballance at three, Ian Bell at four and Joe Root at No5. He also said that Bell would remain at second slip despite criticism due to a number of missed opportunities during the New Zealand series. There have been calls for Adam Lyth, a regular slip fielder with Yorkshire, to replace him in the cordon.
