Former Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene has backed new England coach Trevor Bayliss to have a positive impact on the team.

Bayliss was confirmed as Peter Moores's successor earlier today, beating fellow Australian Jason Gillespie to the job having emerged as the leading candidate over the weekend.

Jayawardene, who worked under Bayliss during his time in charge of Sri Lanka and Kolkata Knight Riders, believes that England have appointed the right man to bring through the next generation of international cricketers.

"He's a great guy, he's a very good coach. When we took him he didn't have much international experience but he knew exactly how teams work and he is a very old school guy in that he stays behind the limelight and gets the job done," he is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"He is fantastic with the boys especially the younger guys. He gives them a lot of confidence. He will allow the players to express themselves; he won't put boundaries or constraints on them. He will allow them to play their cricket but make sure that it's done accordingly to the team plan. He is not very authoritative in the sense that he will sit back and allow the captain to take the decisions but help in any way he can.

"He is strict when it comes to ethics and values, however, he'll try and keep people within those boundaries. It is exciting to see all the young cricketers around England and Trevor will definitely help them to grow. He did this with our young group when he was with us. England has some very exciting, talented cricketers and they are playing a good brand of cricket and Trevor will not try to change that I don't think."

Bayliss will take charge of England for this summer's Ashes.