Bresnan: No shock if Dizzy is wanted man
THOUGH coach Jason Gillespie has distanced himself from suggestions that he is ready to swap Yorkshire for Australia, Tim Bresnan concedes no one at Headingley could begrudge him a move.
The former Baggy Green seamer, affectionately known as ‘Dizzy’, has insisted that he has not applied for the vacant bowling coach role with Cricket Australia, nor has he had discussions with supremo Darren Lehmann.
But, having guided Yorkshire to back-to-back County Championship titles, it’s easy to understand why Gillespie’s name tops Cricket Australia’s wishlist.
All-rounder Bresnan said: “It’s no surprise. Any cricket team would want a coach with his pedigree.
“It was only a matter of time once the England gig slipped away that others would make a play for him.
“I don’t think anyone would begrudge him. Dizzy is doing a fine job with us and I know he really likes it at Yorkshire.
“But he is the type of character that will want to get to the very top in his field and I’m sure he will want to challenge himself at the highest level.
“He will want to be at the top for as long as possible and be the best that he can be. If he moves on, he is going to be incredibly successful. If Dizzy wants to go then most of the lads here would wish him well.”
If though, as Bresnan hopes, Gillespie opts to stay at Yorkshire, his most immediate task will be laying down a marker in the T20 Blast – the clash with Leicestershire first up tonight.
Bresnan is in contention to feature for the first time this season having cemented his comeback from a calf injury by completing two T20 friendlies this week.
And, having struggled to make much headway in previous years, Bresnan believes, under 23-year-old Alex Lees, Yorkshire’s luck can change. “Alex Lees is an old head on young shoulders,” said the 31-yearold. “He speaks very well and is a real leader. He did a bit last year, but to get it as a full-time gig has allowed him to put his stamp on things.
“I find it interesting to have a different take on it, a fresh perspective and ideas and plenty of enthusiasm. He has the backing of everyone. We have been poor for a number of years in the Blast, and it’s difficult to put your finger on why.
“It’s definitely not through lack of effort.The players have worked hard over the winter on our white-ball game in the hope we can turn that around.
“It would be a hell of an effort to win the double [T20 Blast and County Championship].
“Teams that have done well in the past tend to have a mini-T20 team alongside their squad for the other formats. They have T20 specialists they have brought in, whereas we have a squad we feel can succeed across the board.”