Trevor Bayliss only accepted an offer to become England cricket's first-ever Australian head coach after initially knocking them back last week, his New South Wales colleague Geoff Lawson has revealed.
Former Australia seamer Lawson, currently NSW's bowling coach, claims his compatriot agreed to take up his new position with England in time for this summer's Ashes largely because he will be renewing his successful partnership with Paul Farbrace.
Lawson recalls that Bayliss, a contender last year when the subsequently sacked Peter Moores took the same job for a second time, decided the role was not for him back then.
"He said no then, and in fact last week he also said no again," Lawson told BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday.
He claims the connection with assistant coach Farbrace, after their time together in charge of Sri Lanka - and a "very good offer" from the England and Wales Cricket Board - were key factors this time for the 52-year-old, who was officially appointed on Tuesday.
"Those two worked together way back (at county team) Kent and Sri Lanka," added Lawson.
"They've got a very good working relationship, and Trevor likes to have people around him he knows he can trust and knows what they can produce... (and) they have made him a very good offer.
"He was very happy doing his IPL (Indian Premier League) job six or seven weeks a year, plus looking after New South Wales the rest of the time.
"He had a pretty full schedule. After about four years with Sri Lanka he was looking to spend a bit more time at home."
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