Morecambe pro: Playing under Bayliss and Farbrace was best time of my career

Morecambe Cricket Club’s professional says playing under England’s new coaching duo was the best time of his career.
Suraj Randiv. Picture: Tony NorthSuraj Randiv. Picture: Tony North
Suraj Randiv. Picture: Tony North

Suraj Randiv was handed his Sri Lanka one-day international, Twenty20 and test debuts by Trevor Bayliss, who has reunited with assistant Paul Farbrace.

Farbrace guided Eoin Morgan’s England side to their thrilling one-day series win over New Zealand while he acted as interim coach following Peter Moores’ sacking, with many hailing a new era of attacking English cricket.

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Now head coach Bayliss has arrived for the Ashes against Australia, which started in Cardiff on Wednesday, having previously led Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2011 and also coached the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

England head coach Trevor Bayliss with Alastair Cook during the nets session ahead of the First Investec Ashes Test at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.England head coach Trevor Bayliss with Alastair Cook during the nets session ahead of the First Investec Ashes Test at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss with Alastair Cook during the nets session ahead of the First Investec Ashes Test at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.

The off spinner is full of praise when he talks about the man he calls ‘TB’.

Randiv, who played in the World Cup final in 2011, said: “Every debut game, one-day, T20 and test, I played under him.

“He’s a good coach and I would say it’s one of the best combinations in the world, TB and Paul.

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“Trevor is a nice guy. He always gives you self-confidence.

“He always gave you a chance when you were playing well.

“He didn’t favour any particular players.

“He’s a quiet guy but he always communicated with players about what they had to do to improve themselves and lift their game.

“When I played under him we won about 14 series. The two years I played under him were the best time in my career.”

Randiv has experienced first hand the ‘no fear’ attitude that helped England play some thrilling cricket against New Zealand.

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The 30-year-old believes the pair can do a fine job for any country in the world as England fans hope they can lead Alastair Cook’s men to Ashes glory.

Randiv, who has played 12 tests, 30 one-day internationals and seven T20 internationals for his country, said: “They are a very good combination for England, any country really.

“Both are really nice. Paul as well he always gives the players confidence to do well, to try new things.

“They are always saying to do things without being afraid.”

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