Bayliss calls for A-team matches on Ashes tours

England and Australia should play their rivals' A teams on Ashes tours, according to Trevor Bayliss.

Published : Nov 19, 2017 16:22 IST

Trevor Bayliss: "I've already mentioned it to [England director of cricket Andrew] Strauss and I will mention it to Pat Howard [Cricket Australia's high performance manager] when I see him too."

Trevor Bayliss believes both Australia and England should improve the preparation of touring teams ahead of Ashes series by scheduling matches against A teams.

England has faced modest opposition in all three of its warm-up games in Australia ahead of next week's Ashes opener in Brisbane.

Yet Bayliss is aware Australia often has similar problems when it travels to the United Kingdom.

England's head coach feels both countries would benefit if matches against their host's second string were arranged prior to the Tests getting under way.

"Both Australia and England should be getting together and having at least one match against the A team before each series," Bayliss was quoted as saying.

"I've already mentioned it to [England director of cricket Andrew] Strauss and I will mention it to Pat Howard [Cricket Australia's high performance manager] when I see him too."