GILLESPIE EXCITED BY WHAT HE’S SEEN SO FAR

FIXTURES

Claydon at Yorkshire – my first year as overseas pro was his second year – I’ve known him for a long time. He and I are good friends. He was pretty much the same then as he is now – loud and obnoxious – but he’s brilliant. It’s been nice to be back in touch with him.

“Hopefully, I can help him, even though he’s a senior bowler. I’m a big believer that players can always learn something, even at 34 or 35. Even guys like Darren Stevens, they can always learn something.

“The lads know I’m here to help them, they have been firing questions at me. I’m more than happy to help share anything they can use.”

Gillespie has spent his first few days observing the squad and he added: “It’s been incredibly positive. There are some good players here.

“From what I’ve seen so far, there’s a lot to work with. It’s exciting.”

He added: “There’s a good group of young bowlers here. It’s exciting for the county and until Allan Donald gets here, I’ll keep an eye on them and give him and Matt (Walker) some information on what I see, give some feedback.

“I haven’t spoken to them much, I’ve just been observing and seeing how they go about things. KENT’S FIRST FIVE GAMES Apr 7 Gloucestershire (C’bury)...cc2 Apr 14 Sussex (Hove) ...................... CC2 Apr 21 Derbyshire (Canterbury)...cc2 Apr 27 Hampshire (Canterbury) ...RLC May 2 Somerset (Taunton) ........... RLC Key: CC2 = Specsavers County Championship Division 2, RLC = Royal London One Day Cup

“It’s good to listen and take it all in. It’s been great so far.”

It’s not just the players Gillespie hopes will benefit from his stay.

He said: “It’s an exciting challenge. For me to be able to learn from Matt Walker and offer support. “It’s a different environment. I was at a big county in Yorkshire and now I’m at a smaller one, everything’s different, the climate’s different, Canterbury’s a beautiful place, I’ve lived in Leeds which is a big city.

“There’s a nice feel about the place.

“I’m excited. If I can learn anything it will help me in my development as a coach.”

‘There’s a nice feel about the place. I’m excited’