Gillespie: Bayliss was the correct choice for England

Australia

Yorkshire's Jason Gillespie believes results have proven that England were correct to choose Australian compatriot Trevor Bayliss ahead of him as coach of the national side.

Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for the Aussies, was the leading contender to coach England in 2015 after leading Yorkshire to their second consecutive County Championship last year.

Since taking over the England job, Bayliss has led the Three Lions to an Ashes victory as well as a remarkable transformation in the limited-overs formats which saw them reach the final, and beaten by the West Indies, of the recent World T20.

Gillespie said in an interview with the Guardian: "Trevor Bayliss was the correct choice. It's been proved 100%."

The former right-arm seamer also explained his interaction with England's director of cricket Andrew Strauss while the process of choosing the new coach was made.

Gillespie said: "Straussy rang me and said could we meet for a coffee and a chat. He then said, 'Do you mind coming down and having a bit more of a chat?'.

"But Straussy made it very clear he was talking to a number of people. No decisions would be made until he had spoken to everyone.

"Then he rang and said 'I've got someone in mind – and it's not you.' There were absolutely no issues. I think because I was in England, and my name was linked, people believed I was nailed on.

"But I never felt that. If I had been in Andrew Strauss's shoes I would have made the same choice."

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