LONDON (AFP) - Australian Trevor Bayliss has been appointed as the new head coach of England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old former Sri Lanka coach succeeds the sacked Peter Moores, having been preferred to his compatriot Jason Gillespie, the Yorkshire coach, who was the initial favourite for the job.

"Trevor has an outstanding record as coach, has global experience and is very highly regarded in the game," said the ECB's director of cricket Andrew Strauss in a press release.

Currently coach of New South Wales, Bayliss will take charge of England in time for the start of their home Ashes series against Australia in July.