Gillespie in the frame for short-term deal

Kent cricket

It has been reported that former Yorkshire coach and Australian paceman Jason Gillespie could be Kent’s new interim assistant coach.

South African legend Allan Donald was named as assistant to new head coach Matt Walker in the new year but it has emerged he will not be given a visa to coach in England as he does not meet the ECB criteria of a Level 3 coaching qualification and will miss the start of the season.

Last week it was reported that Kent were set to appoint ‘a high profile assistant coach of international repute’ to assist Walker and help prepare the squad on the eve of the new county season, which gets under way with a home championship game against Gloucestershire on April 7.

Reports in the national press since then suggest Gillespie is the favourite, having left Headingley last year after guiding the White Rose County to two County Championship crowns since his arrival in 2012.

He left to return to Australia and coached the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash T20 competition this winter, however reports claim he is seeking short-term coaching roles during the close-season Down Under, which would fit Kent’s opening.

Gillespie claimed more than 250 wickets in 71 Tests for Australia making him their sixth highest wicket-taker of all time with another 142 in 97 ODI appearances.

Donald, 50, has previously mentored the fast bowlers of England, Australia and South Africa and worked with Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore and deputised for Nicky Boje as head coach at South African franchise the Knights last winter.

Kent are currently weighingup whether to appeal the ECB ruling or try to fast-track Donald through the remainder of the qualification, which he has already been working towards, a process which could take months.

The county have also been in discussion with several overseas players, with a signing expected to be announced next week.

Jason Gillespie