England batsman Joe Root believes the calm temperament of coach Trevor Bayliss can serve the side well as they plot the downfall of South Africa, the world’s No 1 Test side.

The Australian claimed Ashes victory over his compatriots last summer in his first series at the helm but then went on to suffer a 2-0 setback against Pakistan. However, his demeanour hardly changed in success or defeat and his unobtrusive style has been welcomed by the England squad.

Root knows that South Africa – despite a 3-0 reverse in India – will prove formidable opponents on home turf during the next four Tests, but is positive about life under Bayliss.

“He’s been great. He’s been a very calming influence around the side,” the England vice-captain told the BBC. “I think in an Ashes series, it can get quite tense and emotions can run high and he’s been very good at controlling that within the dressing room, keeping everyone calm, keeping everyone focused on the task and keeping it very nice and simple. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need at the top level, to just remember all the basics of the game and just to put it all down a bit.”

Sam Billings steered England Lions to a hard-earned, series-equalling Twenty20 victory against Pakistan A with an ice-cool half-century yesterday, setting up a Dubai decider for Wednesday.

The Lions restricted Pakistan A to 116 for 9 in their 20 overs under the floodlights, with Tom Curran taking 2 for 15 on his debut in an excellent collective bowling performance – and not conceding a run in the last over of the innings.