Gillespie back in the hotseat – with Papua New Guinea
FOLLOWING a brief spell at Kent earlier this summer, former Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie is back in the hotseat as a coach – at Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Gillespie has been appointed interim coach of the Associate nation in a part-time role due to his commitments with Big Bash side Adelaide Strikers.
Gillespie, 42, is head coach of Australia A, but due to the ongoing pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the A tour to South Africa has been cancelled.
The ex-Yorkshire coach takes over at the nation, just north of Australia, from former New Zealand off-spinner Dipak Patel, who was appointed in August 2014, but left the post after he and the PNG board reportedly could not agree on the terms for an extended contract.
PNG are set to play a series of matches Down Under against the Australian Indigenous team and Queensland XI, before hosting Scotland for two matches in October as a part of their push for 2019 World Cup qualification.
Gillespie said:“I have never been to PNG before. I’m going to go up at the end of the month for a meet and greet, meet the players and staff and get to know everyone. I’m just excited to see how these guys go about their work. I’ve heard a lot of very good things.
“Papua New Guinea played against Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi in pre-season and I spoke to a few of my friends at Yorkshire and they said the PNG guys were fantastic.”
Gillespie spent ten weeks as interim assistant coach at Kent earlier this summer, returning to Australia last month for his role in the Australia A coaching set-up.
But with the pay dispute in Australia seemingly no closer to coming to an end, and the Ashes series this winter potentially in doubt, Gillespie has also spoken out as to how he wants a conclusion soon.
He added:“I’ve followed this saga with interest. I have to admit to being disappointed in the tit for tat in the media between the ACA and CA.Why have there been so many press releases stating disappointment at the lack of meaningful talks?
“Find a compromise and let’s get on with the cricket. It’s not a great look for our game.”