Bayliss named Kolkata coach in IPL

Australian Trevor Bayliss, who guided Sri Lanka to the 2011 World Cup final, on Wednesday replaced compatriot Dav Whatmore as head coach of the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders.

"We are pleased to welcome Trevor Bayliss as our head coach," Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) said in a statement.

"With his rich experience, very successful track record and knowledge of the conditions in the sub-continent, we believe he is the right person to take KKR to the next level of performance."

Kolkata finished fourth in the 10-team IPL tournament last year before losing to Mumbai Indians in the play-offs.

"I have followed the IPL and KKR's performance and I am honoured to become part of this team which has already built a reputation as a very popular and professional franchise," said Bayliss, 49.

He will be the third Kolkata coach after Australians John Buchanan and Whatmore.

Bayliss, who played 58 first-class matches, stepped down as Sri Lanka coach after his team finished runners-up to India in the World Cup.

The fifth edition of the IPL will be played from April 4 to May 27.