Dizzy could put BBL clubs in a spin

Former Test paceman and current Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie has expressed his interest in coaching in next summer’s KFC T20 Big Bash League.

At least two BBL clubs are in the market for a head coach ahead of next season, after Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat called time on the tenures of Simon Helmot and Stuart Law respectively.

Gillespie is highly regarded in the coaching world after steering Yorkshire to the English county title last year, and the 71-Test veteran said the club had given him permission to explore his options for BBL|05.

“I am enjoying working at Yorkshire and we have lots of exciting challenges ahead, which I am very much looking forward to,” Gillespie said.

“I would be happy to chat to interested parties in the BBL regarding coaching opportunities if they feel that I can add value to what they are endeavouring to achieve.

“The important aspect is that Yorkshire are happy for me to pursue an interest in coaching during the next BBL campaign.

“Martyn Moxon (Director of Cricket) and Mark Arthur (Chief Executive) see the benefits of testing myself in a developed competition and how that experience will benefit Yorkshire going forward.”

Yorkshire Chief Executive Arthur insists Gillespie, 39, would enhance his coaching skillset by mentoring a BBL club.

“We will not stand in Jason’s way if he was to be approached by a BBL franchise,” he said.

“We see it as a positive, which will enhance our reputation as a leading club across the world. Having our coach immersed in the BBL would gain invaluable insights into a competition that is highly rated.

“It will also give us a refined approach in our efforts to be successful in the NatWest T20 Blast competition.

“Jason is one of the most sought after coaches in the game and his approach and standing in the dressing room is helping us to become a very competitive side across all formats. He is very ambitious, but he is also fully aware that there is still also a lot of work to be done at Yorkshire.”

Renegades captain and Australia World Cup representative Aaron Finch, who worked under Gillespie at Yorkshire, was impressed by the mentor’s positivity.

"As a coach he was great,” Finch said. “He's a very positive guy.

"I think we saw that by the way he played the game, he was always a character and ... playing under him at Yorkshire, he got the best out of a lot of players in the squad.

"To win the county championship was big for them.

"I think with a team that was very skilled and highly talented, but to be able to get the mix right time and time again, he was just a great guy to coach that particular group.

"In terms of a Big Bash coaching job I don’t think we've seen too many guys come in and coach from overseas so I'm not sure how he would go in that kind of role."

With Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry on indefinite personal leave and a report surfacing yesterday that Stars coach Greg Shipperd’s contract may not be renewed, there could be as many as four BBL clubs bidding for Gillespie’s services.

Follow: Yorkshire County Cricket Club