Bayliss turns Spanish eyes to Ashes squad

The Australians who know Trevor Bayliss all agree he is a big asset for England, but sense it might take some time for the boon to come.

Bayliss officially started as England coach last Friday, giving him 12 days to prepare for the Ashes opener in Cardiff.

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Bayliss chats during a Spanish training session // Desert Springs Resort

His first duty was to take his charges to Spain, where they have been bonding at the Desert Springs golf resort in Almeria, where fancy dress quiz nights and golf were high on the team's agenda, as well as training at the cricket facilities available at the resort.

Ben Stokes posted some of the costumes for a team quiz night worn by himself, batsman Joe Root and England's fielding coach Chris Taylor.

Stokes, wearing a Chicago Bulls top, oversized gold chain and coloured tights, described his outfit as "Brit abroad" while Root and Taylor went with outfits more closely themed to their Spanish setting.

Root was dressed as a bull-fighting matador – perhaps in reference to his bar-room altercation with David Warner ahead of the 2013 Ashes series, whom Michael Clarke recently re-nicknamed from 'Bull' to 'Butterfly'.

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Taylor was dressed as Seve Ballesteros, the late golfer who is a national icon in Spain.l

Bayliss will announce his squad for the first Ashes Test at Lord's tonight 10.30pm AEST (1.30pm UK time) having returned from Spain.

Bayliss's arrival to take charge of England shortly before the biggest series on the nation's cricket calendar is somewhat similar to the challenge faced by Darren Lehmann in 2013, when he was handed the reins 16 days before the series started.

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England's players hit the gym in Spain // Desert Springs Resort

Lehmann was able to turn the team's culture around, empowering them to smash England 5-0 in the return series then defeat world No.1 South Africa on their home turf in February-March 2014.

However, despite improvements Australia were still rolled 3-0 in the 2013 Ashes.

"I know when Darren Lehmann took over just before an Ashes series here, it takes a bit of time to be able to really find your feet as a team (under a new coach)," Watson said.

"English cricket is only going to benefit out of what he's going to bring, hopefully that's in three or four months' time that we'll really see those benefits.

"But there's no doubt, by getting Trevor Bayliss, they're certainly on the right track."

Watson was full of praise for the former NSW mentor.

"He's a great man, he's a very good coach," he said.

"He understands the game very well, he doesn't put any excessive pressure on players but he certainly knows how to try and get the best out of them.

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Cook, Broad, Anderson and Root on the golf course // Desert Springs Resort

"He's certainly a huge asset for English cricket."

Pace icon McGrath, who started his first-class career alongside Bayliss, praised the appointment but also cautioned against expecting too much too soon.

"To have a new coach come on and have success straight away is always a big ask," McGrath said.

"But you never know."

Watson noted Bayliss would be sharing some "inside information" from his time with NSW, Australia and the Sydney Sixers.

But Mitchell Johnson doubted whether it would matter much come July 8, when the long-awaited series begins in Wales.

"He's probably got a bit of dirt on us, but that doesn't mean a hell of lot when you are out in the middle," Johnson said.

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