(Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
By Chris Stocks
England are likely to appoint a tour manager next winter to ease the burden on coach Trevor Bayliss.
The Australian has been pushed into the limelight on the back of various media storms that have besieged England over the past few months following numerous alcohol-related incidents involving players.
In future, Bayliss only wants to deal with cricketing matters rather than being forced to explain off-field indiscretions or controversies.
It means there is likely to be a new role of tour manager created ahead of next winter’s trips to Sri Lanka and the Caribbean.
It is thought the England & Wales Cricket Board would prefer the position to be filled by a former international, who would have the respect of current players but be old enough not to be linked to them in any way. However, it is understood the ECB will also look at other well-qualified people who are not former players.
England have had a long-standing team manager in Phil Neale, but his role is mainly to sort out the logistics of hotels and travel. Australia have had tour managers for years, with the current role occupied by Gavin Dovey, who was formerly the England rugby team’s operations manager.
South Africa have also had an all-encompassing team manager in Mohammad Moosajee, a qualified doctor, for the past decade.
Moosajee has acted as a buffer between the players and the public whenever controversial incidents – whether on the field or off – have surfaced. England would like the same following a tough Ashes tour.
