Ashes 2017/18: Steven Smith Throws His Support Behind Under-Fire Trevor Bayliss
At a time when Trevor Bayliss is facing the heat following England’s stunning capitulation in the first three Ashes Tests, England’s Australian head coach has received some backing from the unlikeliest of sources – Australia skipper Steven Smith.
The hosts have thoroughly outplayed Joe Root & Co. in the ongoing series, and as a result, they had conceded the series and the result after just three games. The margin of defeats have only widened, as the series progressed – they lost the first Test by ten wickets, and the following one by 120 runs.
And although they managed to come up with a good batting performance in the first inning of the third Test, scoring 403, they ended by losing the game by an innings and 41 runs.
READ MORE: Ashes 2017/18: Australian Media Laments Lack of Fight From England
With nothing much going England’s way, many have already predicted that the visitors are set for another 5-0 whitewash Down Under in the last 11 years. Last time when England toured Australia four years ago, they got swept away which led to a couple of big decisions. While veteran batsman Kevin Pietersen was dropped from the team and was never recalled after that, head coach Andy Flower stepped down from the post.
Speculations are high that Bayliss could also suffer a similar fate if England loses the remaining two games but Smith feels such a treatment would be harsh on the coach.
“Sometimes it’s a bit harsh to lay a lot of the blame on the coach,” Smith told reporters in Melbourne.“In the end, they’re not the ones out there playing, it’s the players, and they have to take some responsibility as well.
“It’s always tough for an opposing coach or captain when you’re away, and you’re 3-0 down and having lost the series already with two games to play,” he added.
READ MORE: ‘Pathetic’ England Deserve What They Got, Says Former Australia Captain
Smith, who was first promoted at number three by Bayliss at New South Wales and was also made the skipper of Sydney Sixers, further said he enjoyed working with the current England head coach.
“I enjoyed working with him,” Smith said. “No doubt he’ll be disappointed but he’s a terrific guy and a very good coach.”
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon had also thrown his support behind Bayliss while speaking before the second Ashes Test.
“He’s very calm; there’s not much emotion flying around. He will know what to say to get the English back on track,” the spinner said.
Meanwhile, Bayliss is in no mood to step down from his post. Speaking after the Perth Test Bayliss had made it clear he still considered him the best candidate for the job.
“I think I am, you may not,” Bayliss had said at the post-match press conference when asked whether he was the right man to coach England. “I think our performances have been pretty [good] the past couple of years, so that’s for people above my pay grade to make that decision. I’ll leave it up to them.”
READ MORE: Ashes 2017/18: I Am Still the Right Man for England – Trevor Bayliss
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