Ashes Verdict - England on the brink
New England head coach Trevor Bayliss has already proved his worth to his employers after his team closed in on Ashes glory - that's according to Wolverhampton Cricket Club's Tariq Ali.
England are edging closer and closer to regaining the Ashes after another day of domination at Trent Bridge against Australia.
The tourists closed Day 2 on 241-7 in their second innings - still trailing by 90 runs. Should Australia not score the 90 runs to restore parity, England will just need three wickets to clinch the series and take an unassailable 3-1 lead with one Test to play.
The second day of a remarkable Test saw England declare on 391-9 with main contributions from Joe Root (130) and Jonny Bairstow (74).
And later in the day Ben Stokes produced with the ball as he took five of England's seven wickets before bad light ended the day's play. A day of celebration for England could be on the cards on Saturday.
It appears England's head coach Trevor Bayliss is going to enjoy a winning start to his tenure following the Australian's appointment earlier this summer replacing the sacked Peter Moores.
Tariq Ali, who has been part of Wolverhampton Cricket Club for many years, says Bayliss has already managed to get the best out of his players.
"If you think about it when he took over we were in a bit of a pickle," he said.
"I wouldn't say he has turned the team round but he has already got them playing heir best cricket and that's all what matters.
"When they lost at Lord's I remember saying it was time time for Bayliss to earn his money and I think he has done it. England's dominance since the Lord's Test has been amazing
"In the cricketing world he is well respected and he will now want to take England up the rankings. It's possible they could get back up to number one in the world because they are very good at home but it's away from home where they will be truly tested."
And Tariq felt a fourth straight Ashes defeat in England could spell the end for Michael Clarke's reign as Test captain for Australia.
"I think it's goodbye for Clarke," he added.
"He has been struggling for form throughout the series and there's been a couple of issues with team selection leaving Brad Haddin out and trying out the new keeper Peterl Nevill. Personally I think he doesn't have the passion for it anymore, he just does not seem the same person who lifted the World Cup earlier in the year.
"It's a shame because he has been a class player and was someone in the world game I would pay to watch when on top form.
"I think Steven Smith will be the next man in line."
