There’s no better place in county cricket than Yorkshire – Gillespie

The former Australia fast bowler, who played for Yorkshire in 2006 and 2007, said he jumped at the opportunity to take the role.

Yorkshire yesterday confirmed that Gillespie will head up their new-look coaching team below director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon. The 36-year-old is to be joined by former Kent and Sri Lanka coach Paul Farbrace, 44, who will take charge of the second XI, and by new development manager Richard Damms, 40, who has worked with Yorkshire’s age-group squads for a number of years.

Gillespie, Farbrace and Damms effectively replace Craig White, Steve Oldham, Kevin Sharp and John Blain, who worked under Moxon last summer.

The only member of Moxon’s coaching team to be retained is Ian Dews, 47, who moves from director of cricket operations to director of cricket development with responsibility for the Academy and age-group squads.

Gillespie – currently in his second season as coach of Zimbabwe franchise MidWest Rhinos – described his return to Headingley as a great chance to further his coaching career.

“It’s come at just the right time and it’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “I obviously had to weigh up a couple of things first – I’ve got a young family – but, in the end, it was a simple decision.

“When opportunities like this come along, you don’t turn them down.

“There is no better place to be involved in county cricket than at Yorkshire, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Gillespie will help oversee a squad that includes fellow countryman Phil Jaques, a top-class opening batsman whom Yorkshire also confirmed will be returning on a two-year deal as their overseas player.

Yorkshire have been further boosted by the news that captain Andrew Gale and batsman Joe Root have signed contract extensions until the end of the 2014 campaign, while pace bowler Moin Ashraf is on the verge of penning a new two-year deal.

“Yorkshire underachieved last year and I’m sure everyone is disappointed, but what that does is create an opportunity for this group of players to show how good they are,” added Gillespie.

“There’s a lot of young guys coming through alongside a few experienced players, and I believe this squad is capable of winning a lot of cricket matches.”

Gillespie said he hoped to bring a number of qualities to his new position. “I’ll try to bring fun and enjoyment while making sure our preparation is spot on,” he said. “I’d like to think I’m pretty easy going, but, if something needs to be said, I’m not afraid to say it.

“I’ve learned a lot in Zimbabwe about man-management, while I don’t coach players to play and train specifically as I did.

“Ultimately, I think every player is different and you have to treat them differently in a team dynamic.”

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