Just how important Trevor Bayliss was to England’s Ashes triumph depends on who you ask. The man himself was keen to play down his influence on the 3-2 series victory, even though he had worked closely with nine members of Australia’s touring party at state level with the NSW Blues.
And for the second time in as many Test series, Australia’s opponents will be armed with an intricate knowledge of almost half of their playing squad. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha heads into the upcoming two-Test series having coached seven members of the Australian Test squad during his time with the NSW Blues and the Sydney Thunder, namely Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, Peter Nevill, Pat Cummins and Steve O’Keefe.
Hathurusingha was an assistant coach at the Blues from 2011 until his appointment as Tigers head coach in May last year.
He was also head coach of the Blues on an interim basis when Anthony Stuart was sacked midway through the 2012-13 season, and was the Thunder’s head coach during BBL|03. So will that inside knowledge give Bangladesh an edge next month?
“Yes and no,” Hathurusingha told cricket.com.au ahead of the first Test in Chittagong, starting on October 9.
“You know a little bit about their approach and how they are, so in that sense I can help a little bit. But then again, they’re very good players, they’re class players so they know their game inside and out.
“It helps when you know other players over a period of time. You know their strengths and limitations and what helps them and what doesn’t. But those players also know their own limitations and strengths.
“It’s helps, but then again you need to have the determination to use that against them.
“It’s all about how you execute on that particular day and know the game plan. If you have people who can execute what you want then it came be an advantage.”
“I think it’s better for us to be playing (Australia) now than a year ago or 18 months ago because there’s been a few changes,” he said.
“But people must not forget that only the batters have retired, not the bowlers. The bowling unit is still good and probably better than a few years ago.
“For our players this is about proving themselves and challenging themselves against the best. They all know that with Australia – whatever team comes – it’s going to be a really good contest for them.”