Incoming England coach Trevor Bayliss has refused to be drawn into controversy surrounding Kevin Pietersen’s Ashes selection omission. The Australian dodged answering whether he wanted Pietersen in the squad before flying out of Sydney to take charge of the team ahead of the series start on 8 July.

“Look, apparently, he’s unavailable for selection, so that’s all I know at this stage,” Bayliss told Fox Sports at Sydney Airport. “He is a good batter but at this stage he is unavailable, so that’s all I know.”

The first Australian to coach England, Bayliss will spend four days bonding with his new team in camp in Spain. He said he was looking forward to getting to know the players and said the team had a chance of winning the series.

“It’s been quite exciting, the series against New Zealand, the Tests and the one-dayers – got some new, young players in there with plenty of skill, plenty of enthusiasm,” he said. “I’m confident of putting up a good show and if they play some good cricket they’ll be a chance of winning.”

Pietersen found himself in hot water last year when he published an explosive book which included comments about his team-mates.



