Video: Gillespie unveiled as new Yorkshire coach

Gillespie, 36, played for the county in 2006 and 2007 and has enjoyed a varied coaching career since ending his distinguished playing days - taking in spells with Mid Wes Rhinos in Zimbabwe, Australia A and IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.

He will work alongside Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale under director of cricket Martyn Moxon in a revamped coaching set-up that also includes former Kent chief Paul Farbrace in charge of the second XI and Ian Dews, who is retained in the new capacity of director of cricket development.

After the Tykes’ shock relegation last season the existing coaching team was broken up, with former England all-rounder Craig White leaving to pursue a future in umpiring, while long-time bowling coach Steve Oldham, Kevin Sharp and John Blain all left Headingley.

Gillespie, who played 71 Test and took 259 wickets for a dominant Australia side between 1996 and 2006, will work particularly closely with the county’s fast bowlers - a role Oldham had held for two decades.

Yorkshire declined to sign an overseas player last year, largely due to financial constraints, but recruited another former player - South Africa’s Jacques Rudolph - mid-way through the season to try and stave off a return to Division Two.

Jaques’ arrival means they will now have a proven international-class run-scorer for the duration of the next two campaigns.

The left-hander is no longer in Australia’s plans but at the age of 32, and with a fine record in county cricket behind him, his arrival is something of a coup.

He played 24 first-class fixtures for Yorkshire in 2004 and 2005, scoring 2,477 runs at an average 61.92, and was also prolific during spells with Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.

Moxon, who will cede day-to-day control of the first team to Gillespie when he arrives in March, said: “I received good reports from Australia about Jason’s coaching career so far. He has a vast playing experience, played in one of the best teams there has ever been and he’s talking from a position of strength as far as the bowling coaching goes. I’m delighted he’s joining us and he’s got experience of the club.

“I’m sure he’s going to do a fantastic job.”

Gillespie is still in Zimbabwe, seeing out the remainder of his Rhinos contract, but he released a statement about his new role.

He said: “To be able to go back there in a coaching capacity is a fantastic opportunity. When opportunities like being first team coach at Yorkshire come up you don’t turn them down.

“The one thing I’ll be bringing to Yorkshire is a bit of fun and enjoyment, but making sure our preparation is spot on and leaving no stone unturned.”