Jason Gillespie, former Australia fast bowler and incumbent Adelaide Strikers coach, has been named the assistant coach for Australia T20 International series against Sri Lanka in February, 2017. Justin Langer was named the coach of the Australian side for the series earlier, and Gillespie will now join the backroom staff.
Australia are scheduled to host Sri Lanka for three T20Is from February 17 to 22, but are also marked in for a four Test series in India that begins on Febraury 23 - which leaves them needing to field two separate teams and coaching staff for the same. Current head coach Darren Lehmann and assistant coach, David Saker will be with the Test squad in India helping the team team prepare for the Test series, which kicks off in Pune.
Gillespie and Langer will fill in for Lehmann and Saker, and help prepare the T20I team.
"I'm just buzzing to get this role it really is an exciting opportunity and I'm humbled to be thought of by Cricket Australia in this regard," Gillespie said. "For me, the chance to be working with Justin Langer is terrific. Of course, he's a friend and a former team-mate, but he's also someone who's had success in this form of the game (with two BBL titles with Perth Scorchers) and if I can learn anything from him and his approach then that would be great.
"I'm there to support and hopefully play my part in achieving some positive results for us and that is something that is important because Australia hasn't had the success any of us would like in Twenty20 cricket. A series like this is the ideal way for us to try and get better and refine our approach. With some players likely to be away in India it really will be a shop window for players from the BBL to showcase their skills, and to show the selectors and the Australian public what they can do. It's a chance for those selectors to see how, in the case of any new players, they deal with international cricket," he added.
Gillespie is not new to coaching, having spent time in Zimbabwe with Mid-West Rhinos before enjoying great success with English county side Yorkshire. He is currently coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Before taking up coaching, Gillespie was a successful pacer and part of a dominating Australian team. He played 71 Tests and 97 One-Day Internationals, taking more than 400 international wickets.
Commenting on Gillespie's appointment, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said: "It's very pleasing that we've secured Jason's services for the KFC Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka to work with Justin. Jason has significant experience as a coach around the world and with his skillset we believe he and Justin will work well together.
"With Jason's appointment alongside Justin, it means that not only will we have two terrific home-grown coaches to oversee the side but also that we have two individuals who will be coming off the sharp end of the BBL season. It means they'll be immersed in the Twenty20 format ahead of the series which will hopefully help them to help us hit the ground running when the action gets underway."
The T20Is between Australia and Sri Lanka will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (17 February), Kardinia Park in Geelong (19 February) and the Adelaide Oval (22 February).
(Cricbuzz)
