Australian fast bowling great Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of Pakistan’s Test team, as the nation overhauls its coaching department ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.
For the first time, Pakistan have appointed separate coaches to head up their Test and white-ball programs, with Gillespie to take charge of the Test team on a two-year contract while former South African great Gary Kirsten leads the ODI and T20I sides.
The appointment comes after Gillespie surprisingly resigned from his role as coach of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup teams, as well as with BBL team Adelaide Strikers.
“Leading the Pakistan cricket team is a big achievement for any coach, given its rich legacy and passionate fan base,” Gillespie said in a statement.
“I understand there will be expectation and that comes with the role. All I can do is to take it in my stride and I would not have taken on the job if I did not think I could deal with it.”
Gillespie’s first assignment is a two-Test home series against Bangladesh in August, before the team faces England over three Tests in October.
The 49-year old played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, forming a lethal opening bowling partnership with the legendary Glenn McGrath.
Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of Pakistan’s Test team. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
He played a key role in Australia’s successful Ashes tours of England in 1997 and 2001 before losing his place in the team after a poor performance in the famous 2005 series loss. However, he would return in 2006 for one last hurrah that featured one of the most famous performances in Australian cricket history – an unbeaten 201 coming in as nightwatchman against Bangladesh, the only one of its kind in Test history.
Following retirement, Gillespie moved seamlessly into coaching, winning acclaim as head coach of Yorkshire after securing promotion to Division One of the County Championship in his first season at the helm in 2011, then securing back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.
Considered a leading candidate for England’s then-vacant head coach position, he lost out narrowly to fellow Australian Trevor Bayliss.
He would depart Yorkshire in 2016 before a brief stint as head coach of Sussex, before returning to Australia in late 2020 to take the reins in South Australia.
Speaking to media, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Gillespie and Kirsten were both well suited to revitalising Pakistan cricket ahead of a bumper year.
“Both Kirsten and Gillespie are famous and experienced coaches and their appointment confirms the trust the international community has in our team,” Naqvi said.
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
I think Wasim Akram probably has him covered there. Better bowler, bigger higher score
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i am sure Henry Lawson will be around when he needs to chat.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Dizzy can remind Pakistanis that as a good coach he has history with both bat and ball. Not everyone is a great bowler and can score 201.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
A great achievement by Dizzy. Pakistan notoriously underachieve, despite a wealth of talent. Their performances in Australia were a reminder of the potential there. Pakistan cricket is a ‘ hotbed of politics and factions’ and Dizzy will need to produce results, but also be a good political operator, navigating all the vested interests and myriad of agendas in Pakistan cricket.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He always seems a decent person. He's had success coaching cricket teams away from home and there's no reason to think he can't make a success of this hugely challenging role. good luck Dizzy. I'm a little hungover this morning so that may explain the confusion but when I saw Dizzy's age listed as 49 in the article I worked out that means he's 15 years younger than me and that can't be right. I was playing cricket just a little while ago, wasn't I?
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
The problem is, as you no doubt well know, that bitterness between the geographical regions when it comes to national selection makes the 'NSW bias' rubbish seem like friendly banter among best friends. He'll be able to teach them a thing or two about fast bowling at least. I doubt he'll last too long, not through any short comings on his own part, but in fact in line with what you say "Who would want the job".
Blink
Roar Rookie
Good luck. No-one succeeds with the SA Sheffield Shield team but Pakistan is a big job. Its about getting the players to play to the best of their ability and they have plenty of talent. But not as much as India, Australia and England. It's a tough gig because coaching is about results.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Well Done Dizzy.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Quite so Rowdy ... I think the Paki's have more tham their share of the opposite
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Who knows? His laconic, seamless style might work with them.
J Joseph
Roar Rookie
While I wish Jason Gillespie all the best with Pakistan, one might ask the question who would want the job? Pakistani cricket is in a constant state of disruption, with cricket brilliance dulled by jealousy and division. Good luck with that.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Good luck Dizzy