Ashes 2017: Trevor Bayliss plays down concerns over England's bowling ahead of first Test

Joe Root’s team were forced to spend 75 overs in the baking Queensland sun for the reward of just one wicket as Matthew Short and Jason Sangha both posted their maiden first-class centuries

Trevor Bayliss isn't concerned about England's bowling ahead of the first Test (Getty)

England coach Trevor Bayliss has brushed aside concerns about his team being unable to bowl out a Cricket Australia XI on the final day of this warm-up match and insists the tourists will arrive in Brisbane believing they can win.

Joe Root’s team were forced to spend 75 overs in the baking Queensland sun for the reward of just one wicket as Matthew Short, 22, and teenager Jason Sangha both posted their maiden first-class centuries.

The partnership, worth 263 runs, helped the hosts, who had started the day three wickets down in their second innings, to 364 for four – a lead of 99 – before both captains shook hands on the draw an hour before the scheduled close.

Being unable to force victory in their third and final tour match against a team containing a combined 76 first-class appearances between them was not the ideal way to warm-up for the start of the Ashes at the Gabba on Thursday.

But Bayliss said: “It’s not really damaging to us before the first Test. We are always a bit disappointed when we don’t take 10 for 90 but the wicket was very flat, and those two young guys batted very well. If you play cricket long enough those days will happen.

“Today wasn’t the perfect game of cricket for us but it’s time in the dirt, and we will probably have another one or two of them in the Test matches. It was probably good to experience it, and the heat as well.

“A Test match, and Ashes Test, will see our intensity rise as high as it possibly can. It’s all been fairly laid back but I’m sure when we reach Brisbane that will ramp up a little bit. It’s always exciting at the start of every series, but especially an Ashes series.”

Bayliss is confident Australia can be beaten just as they were in England in 2015.

Asked what his message to his players will before the series starts, he said: “Don’t miss a ball. Australia whether batting or bowling like to hit the opposition hard early.


 England were made to toil by the young pair 
 (AFP)

“We have been talking about going hard ourselves - we are not here to make up the numbers, we are here to win.”

Australia named a surprising squad on Friday that included uncapped opener Cameron Bancroft, wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who has not played a Test in seven years, and batsman Shaun Marsh, who has now received his ninth recall.

Yet Bayliss doesn’t believe it gives England any advantage, admitting: “There were a few surprises I suppose, but they are all very good players and I’m sure it will be very a tough series.

“Selection is a very hard job and you won’t get it exactly right every time. It’s hard unless you’re around the selection table to know how the conversation gets to certain players. We have 11 players to play next week, who are all very good players. They will have to do very well in order to win.”


 It was less than ideal preparation with the first Test now less than a week away 
 (AFP)

Jake Ball bowled for a long period in the nets on Saturday, as well as spending time on the field as a replacement, to prove he is fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in the second warm-up match in Adelaide last week.

And Bayliss indicated he will win the race for the fourth seam bowler’s place in England’s XI for the Gabba.

“I thought Ball was our best bowler [in the first tour game in] in Perth and he started off that way again in Adelaide too. He’s fine now, bowled yesterday, got through a few spells in the nets today and now he’s bowling again. He should be fit and raring to go.”