Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been appointed as an assistant coach of Australia for the T20 series against Sri Lanka next year in February. Gillespie, who is currently the head coach of Big Bash League outfit Adelaide Strikers, will now give company to his former teammate Justin Langer who was previously appointed the interim coach for the T20 series.
Langer and Gillespie will oversee three T20I matches from February 17 to 22, while full-time coach, Darren Lehmann along with the Test team will prepare for the first Test in India that starts just a day after the final T20I.
Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 One-Day Internationals for Australia, expressed his excitement over the new role by saying:“I’m just buzzing to get this role it really is an exciting opportunity and I’m humbled to be thought of by Cricket Australia in this regard.”
The retired bowler also hoped of gaining some valuable knowledge from Langer who has led Perth Scorchers to two BBL titles and was also in charge of the Australian team that won the tri-series in West Indies earlier this year
“For me, the chance to be working with Justin Langer is terrific. Of course, he’s a friend and a former teammate, but he’s also someone who’s had success in this form of the game (with two BBL titles with Perth Scorchers) and if I can learn anything from him and his approach then that would be great,” Gillespie said.
“I’m there to support and hopefully play my part in achieving some positive results for us and that is something that is important because Australia hasn’t had the success any of us would like in Twenty20 cricket. A series like this is the ideal way for us to try and get better and refine our approach. With some players likely to be away in India it really will be a shop window for players from the BBL to showcase their skills and to show the selectors and the Australian public what they can do. It’s a chance for those selectors to see how, in the case of any new players, they deal with international cricket,” he added.
Pat Howard, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager Team Performance, was also delighted with the appointment and hoped that the two former players would work well together.
“It’s very pleasing that we’ve secured Jason’s services for the KFC Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka to work with Justin. Jason has significant experience as a coach around the world and with his skillset, we believe he and Justin will work well together.”
Gillespie has previously coached Mid-West Rhinos in Zimbabwe and English county outfit Yorkshire.
“With Jason’s appointment alongside Justin, it means that not only will we have two terrific home-grown coaches to oversee the side but also that we have two individuals who will be coming off the sharp end of the BBL season. It means they’ll be immersed in the Twenty20 format ahead of the series which will hopefully help them to help us hit the ground running when the action gets underway,” Howard added.