Gillespie out to finish with treble top
YORKSHIRE will aim to send Jason Gillespie out on a high with a hat-trick of County Championship titles after the Aussie coach said he will stand down at the end of the season.
When Gillespie took over in 2011, Yorkshire were languishing in Division Two. He has transformed their fortunes, helping them to seal titles in the past two summers.
Yorkshire are just five points behind Middlesex with four matches of the season remaining, the last of which is against leaders at Lord’s.
If he can sign off on a winning note Gillespie, who played 169 matches for Australia as a fast bowler, will rank as one of the club’s greatest coaches.
He was interviewed for the England job last year before losing out to compatriot Trevor Bayliss. His wife and four children recently returned home, and he will continue as head coach the of Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Liam Plunkett, the Yorkshire fast bowler who is currently on England duty, paid tribute to Gillespie.
The 31-year-old moved to Headingley in 2013 after he lost his way at his native Durham and was back playing for England within 12 months.
“I want to thank him for taking a chance on me,” said Plunkett. “I was a bit raw and was struggling. He backed me. He has brought me back to playing for England.”
Chris Silverwood, the former Yorkshire seam bowler who has led Essex to the top of Division Two, is a possible successor. WARWICKSHIRE will face Surrey in the Royal London OneDay Cup final at Lord’s on September 17 after beating Somerset by eight runs.