As England greats continue to apportion blame for another Ashes failure in Australia, Steve Smith hopes Trevor Bayliss is spared much of the scorn and scrutiny.
England coach Bayliss and captain Joe Root have copped the brunt of criticism after Australia claimed an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes.
Nathan Lyon spoke pre-series about the prospect of ending some rival players' careers but the reality is Bayliss will be the man under most pressure if the visitors are on the wrong end of another whitewash.
Andy Flower's final assignment as England coach was the 5-0 series loss that unfolded four years ago in Australia.
"Sometimes it's a bit harsh to lay a lot of the blame on the coach," Smith told reporters in Melbourne.
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"In the end they're not the ones out there playing, it's the players and they have to take some responsibility as well.
"It's always tough for an opposing coach or captain when you're away and you're 3-0 down and having lost the series already with two games to play."
Skipper Smith is among many Australian plays to have thrived under the guidance of Bayliss.
Bayliss was the coach who promoted Smith to first drop at NSW and asked him to captain the Sydney Sixers.
"I enjoyed working with him," Smith said.
"No doubt he'll be disappointed but he's a terrific guy and a very good coach."
Bayliss was asked whether he was the right man to coach England following the tourists' loss in Perth.
"That's for people above my pay grade to make that decision, so we will leave it up to them," he said.
On top of England's litany of on-field problems, Bayliss has struggled to combat suggestions his team has a boozy culture.
Many pundits feel he should have come down harder on Ben Stokes following the allrounder's drunken night out that led to his infamous Bristol brawl.
Simon Katich, who played under Bayliss at NSW, feels for his former mentor.
"He knows his head is on the chopping block if they lose 5-0, given all this stuff that has unfolded under his watch," Katich said.
"He'd be hurting."
Lyon, speaking before the second Ashes Test, described Bayliss as "one of my favourite coaches".
"He's very calm; there's not much emotion flying around. He will know what to say to get the English back on track," the spinner said.
