Gillespie to be Australia A assistant coach for Zimbabwe tour

June 3rd, 2011 - 4:48 pm ICT by IANS  

Melbourne, June 3 (IANS) Former Australian bowler Jason Gillespie was Friday appointed the assistant coach for Australia A’s upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, beginning later this month.

Gillespie, who captured 259 Test wickets for Australia in a 10-year international career, will support head coach Troy Cooley on the month-long tour, which comprise one-day and four-day matches.

“Cricket Australia’s elite coach development program was started in 2008 and allows CA to fast track former players who show a desire to ascend to the highest levels of cricket coaching in this country. In Jason’s case, CA feels this tour presents a good opportunity to further enhance his elite coaching experience. Jason has recently coached in Zimbabwe and understands the conditions we will face there,” said Michael Brown, Cricket Australia’s general manager.

Commenting on his appointment, 36-year-old Gillespie said: “This is a really good opportunity for me to learn more about coaching at this level from the likes of Troy Cooley. I spent last summer as head coach of MidWest Rhinos in Zimbabwe’s first-class system and was recently the bowling coach for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. This tour allows me to further dip my toe into the elite coaching system, to work with some of the best young cricket talent in Australia.”

Australia A will play a one-day tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa A, before finishing with two four-day matches against the host. The squad will depart 25 June and return 25 July.

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