Trevor Bayliss must wait another month before beginning his new job as England coach - but he has already been sneaking in some early homework at home in Australia.
Bayliss, whose appointment as England's replacement for the sacked Peter Moores was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, was burning the midnight oil Down Under, watching his new charges in action on television once it became clear he was set for a move to Europe.
The 52-year-old will renew a successful working relationship with Paul Farbrace when he arrives for training in time for the start of the Ashes in early July.
The pair formed a successful partnership with Sri Lanka, and Bayliss has been making notes on the progress of Farbrace's current England players, en route to their first Investec Test win over New Zealand - completed at Lord's on Monday.
"I've been watching this last Test very closely, staying up late into the night to do some research, and it's been great to see," he told ecb.co.uk.
The Australian was enthused by what he saw too, as Alastair Cook led from the front with a typically determined 162 before all-rounder Ben Stokes smashed the fastest hundred ever seen at Lord's.
"They've obviously got some very good talent in the team, and some young talent for the future as well," added Bayliss.
"To come back from 30 for four on the first day to win the match showed a lot of character.
"That's what good teams need, the character to come through the tough times and go on and win."
He senses, after England's much-chronicled travails since they lost the 2013-14 Ashes 5-0, that he is signing up at the right time.
"I'd much rather come in to work with a team that's on a high, and I hope that can continue through the second Test against New Zealand and the one-day series," he added.
"The great thing for me is that Paul Farbrace is in charge there, and we go back a fair way.
"I've already been speaking to 'Farby' about the job and the team.
"I'm really looking forward to renewing our working relationship and friendship."
Both men are naturally hoping to pick up where they left off, just for a different country.
Bayliss said: "We got on very well in the past - and he's going to be very important for me, with the rest of the backroom staff, because obviously I haven't got the county cricket background or knowledge of the players coming through.
"Paul and the other coaches will be my eyes and ears."
Farbrace's mission, as he awaits Bayliss' arrival, is to ensure the Lord's win proves no false dawn - starting with this week's second Test against the Kiwis.
He believes he has hit on the right formula, by backing players like Stokes to show off a little rather than try to grind down the opposition.
"It's easy to talk about getting stuck in and dig in and fight when you're struggling," said Farbrace.
"But sometimes you forget to show that you do actually possess a lot of skill.
"It isn't just about fight and being dogged - if you have that much ability it's really important you enjoy it.
"If you've got a full house at Lord's, there's no better place for showing that skill level off.
"With a full house, coming to watch and getting behind the team, if that doesn't excite and motivate you then nothing will."
Source: PA
