Gillespie named as Adelaide Strikers coach

Former Test paceman Jason Gillespie has been appointed Adelaide Strikers coach for the next two T20 Big Bash League seasons.

The club confirmed on Wednesday that the South Australian stalwart will return to his home state to lead the Strikers, after spending three seasons coaching English county side Yorkshire.

The news follows the departure of former coach Darren Berry last month in what officials described as an amicable split.

“I’m a proud and passionate South Australian and to be able to come back and be involved with the Adelaide Strikers is a dream come true,” Gillespie said of his appointment.

Adelaide, who were last season’s minor premiers, already have 11 players confirmed for the next BBL tournament and said with Gillespie’s appointment they could move forward with further recruitment plans.

South Australian officials have also said they’d be delighted if the 39-year-old would also be keen to lead the Redbacks after that coaching job was also vacated by Berry.

“At the moment Jason is committed to Yorkshire for their summer,” SA Cricket Association chief executive Keith Bradshaw told AAP last month.

“His record since he has been at Yorkshire has been outstanding. He is an absolutely quality guy who has shown that not only as a player, but now as a coach he is one of the world’s great coaches right now.”

Last year, Gillespie delivered Yorkshire their first county title in 13 years.

SA have enlisted Test great Adam Gilchrist, Cricket Australia’s high performance manager Pat Howard and AFL coaching legend David Parkin to a selection panel for a new coach for the Redbacks, who have finished last in the Sheffield Shield in five of the past six summers and not won the four-day competition since 1995-96.

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