CA appoints Jason Gillespie as Australia A coach for South Africa tour

Cricket Australia (CA) has appointed former Aussie bowler Jason Gillespie as the head coach for Australia A for the tour of South Africa in July and August. Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin and opening batsman Chris Rogers are appointed to assist Jason Gillespie in his work.

Gillespie is the coach of Big Bash League (BBL) side Adelaide Strikers as well. He will be assisted by Chris Rogers during the two four-day matches that Australia A will play against South Africa A. After that, Brad Haddin will be assisting Gillespie for the tri-series that will commence from the 26th of July. The tri-series will be contested among Australia A, South Africa A and India A.

Gillespie’s views

Gillespie previously served as the acting head coach of the senior Australian team during their T20 series against Sri Lanka. Regarding his new role, he said, “I’m thrilled to be appointed as head coach of Australia A for the series against South Africa A and India A, and I’m looking forward to working with Chris and Brad in the coming months. While the squad has yet to be named, it will no doubt feature some of the country’s most talented players, and players challenging for the opportunity to play international cricket for Australia.”

“This tour will provide those players with the chance to push their claims for those opportunities and to experience a really high standard of competition and life on the road. It’s a really exciting time to be involved in Australian cricket, and I can’t wait to join up with the squad and head to South Africa,” Gillespie said.

What Pat Howard feels

Pat Howard, whose services as a team performance manager was retained by CA, feels that the young batters will definitely learn something from Chris Rogers. Rogers, despite being color-blind and short-sighted, has played 25 Tests for Australia, averaging over 40 runs per innings.

Howard said, “It’s extremely pleasing to have three quality people in Jason, Chris and Brad on-board to guide the Australia A squad in their upcoming Tour of South Africa. All three have significant experience as players, in varying conditions across the world over their lengthy careers, which will no doubt be invaluable for the players touring with this squad. Jason has substantial head coaching experience, both with the Adelaide Strikers and in an extremely successful stint as coach of Yorkshire in the England County Championship. He also impressed as an assistant coach of the Australian T20 side earlier this year, so we look forward to seeing what he can achieve with this side.”

“A number of Australia A representatives in 2016, including the likes of Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright and Chris Tremain, made their international debuts during the 2016-17 season, and we believe this coaching panel will help develop more cricketers ready to push for an international debut or a return to international ranks,” he added. Australia A will go through a hectic schedule in July and August, and it will be interesting to see how the young cricketers perform under their new coaches.

Aus A tour of SA schedule:

Four-day matches:

• July 12-15: v South Africa A
• July 19-22: Australia A v South Africa A at Senwes Park

Limited-overs series:

• July 26: v India A, Tukkies
• July 30: v South Africa A, Groenkloof
• August 1: v India A, Tukkies
• August 5: v South Africa A, Tukkies
• August 8: Final, Tukkies