Trevor Bayliss confirmed as London Spirit head coach

The former England coach will reunite with Eoin Morgan, his World Cup-winning captain, following the passing of Shane Warne

Nick Friend | 04/04/2022 at 13:51

Trevor Bayliss has been named as London Spirit's new head coach, following the passing of Shane Warne.

As previously revealed by The Cricketer, Bayliss has taken the role on an interim basis initially for one year, and he will reunite with Eoin Morgan, his World Cup-winning captain in 2019. He emerged as the preferred candidate following interviews for the post.

Since stepping down as England's head coach, he has taken on further roles with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League – though he is no longer in charge – and Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash.

Bayliss and Morgan will be hoping to considerably improve Spirit's fortunes in 2022. The London club came rock bottom of The Hundred's league stage in the first running of the men's competition last year.

"It is obviously very bittersweet to take the role given the circumstances," said Bayliss. "It is an honour to try and build on the work Warnie started. The side knew what he and Eoin were trying to build and I hope we can do that this year."

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^{London Spirit finished bottom in the inaugural edition of The Hundred (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)}

Fraser Stewart, the team manager, added: "This is a situation none of us ever wanted to be in and all of our thoughts remain with Shane's family and what is such a heart-breaking time. We were so lucky to work with Shane last year and we hope that the team will play in a style that he would have been proud of this summer."

An ECB statement confirmed that "further planned tributes" to Warne would be announced shortly.