Bayliss had a finger amputated after a recent crash

The Ducati rider's time of one minute 24.558 seconds was slower than expected but saw him scrape home ahead of Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga.

Championship leader James Toseland was third, just over a tenth of a second off the pace on his Honda.

Ducati's Lorenzo Lanzi completed the front row of the grid.

Bayliss said he had struggled to get a decent grip on a bumpy circuit.

"We've had a difficult couple of days here," he said.

"I made my time up in the last sector as I do feel we are working quite well through there."

Toseland said he felt confident on home soil and that he would be able to handle whatever the weather threw at the riders on Sunday.

"I've got a good set up for the bumps and I know I can ride it aggressively," he said.

"We've also got a decent wet set-up so if it rains we will be OK.

"I'm glad that Nori and Troy are on the front row. I think the three of us will battle for the championship and should put on a good show."

Saturday's Superpole qualifying result: