Cricket New South Wales today announced the appointment of Trevor Bayliss as State Coach. Current interim coach Chandika Hathurusinghe will work under Bayliss as assistant coach of the State side. In addition, both men will act as head coaches for the two Sydney Big Bash League teams.

Bayliss, was the outstanding candidate from a high quality field of domestic and international candidates. His pedigree as an international coach is impeccable, having guided Sri Lanka to the 2011 World Cup Final, in addition to having coached NSW to success in both the Sheffield Shield and One Day competitions.

Bayliss has also experienced success in the Indian Premier League after leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in last season’s competition, in addition to being at the helm when the Sydney Sixers won the inaugural KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Hathurusinghe also has an outstanding coaching background, having taken on the role of NSW SpeedBlitz Blues head coach this season after the departure of Anthony Stuart. Hathurusinghe was able to oversee a late season challenge for the Blues that saw them narrowly miss out on the Bupa Sheffield Shield Final by a point, after winning their final match against South Australia.

The final group of candidates was interviewed by a panel that included three former New South Wales and Australian cricketers in Mark Taylor, Geoff Lawson and Stuart Clark. Each panel member brought a passion for New South Wales to the interview process and a knowledge of what skills and character traits would be important to provide the best coach to take New South Wales forward.

Bayliss, will also oversee a new coaching structure within Cricket New South Wales, with every effort being made to provide the best possible set up to see the Blues return to the top of the domestic cricket tree.

The new structure will see a heavy focus on reconnecting with former New South Wales players and using their skills and expertise to assist all Cricket New South Wales sides, including the aspiring talent at under-age level.

Cricket New South Wales Chairman John Warn expressed excitement at the appointment: “It is with great pleasure that we announce Trevor Bayliss as our new State Coach. Trevor will bring experience, and most importantly, a successful track record at International level in all three forms of the game. The panel of Mark Taylor, Stuart Clark and Geoff Lawson were unanimous in their support of this candidate and we know that he will bring both a strong work ethic, and passion for New South Wales cricket, to the role.

We were delighted with the quality of candidates that applied for the role and the transparency of the process. The appointment will form the first part of our coaching re-structure as we look to utilise the talents and experience that we have amongst our past players group and we see it as the first step towards returning New South Wales cricket to its position as one of the leaders in world cricket. We are also well underway in our search for a new Chief Executive and a review of our Big Bash League teams.”