Sussex appoint Jason Gillespie as head coach

(Photo: Daniel Smith / Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

After condemning Sussex to relegation on his way to guiding Yorkshire to the County Championship in 2015, Jason Gillespie has been announced as the new head coach of Sussex.

The Australian will take up the role in a full-time capacity and has agreed to a three-year deal tabled by Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew.

Jason is exactly the experienced head coach we had hoped we would attract,” said Andrew.

“He has enormous experience of the English county game after his very successful spell with Yorkshire.

“We believe we have a very talented young squad and we need a bit of stability and a coach of Jason’s experience to help mould a successful team.”

Gillespie was in the running to become the new England head coach after delivering back-to-back County Championship titles for Yorkshire, but was pipped to the post by Trevor Bayliss.

What matters most to Sussex is the 2012 promotion on Gillespie’s CV which saw the county return to Division One, a feat the 42-year-old believes is possible with an exciting core of players at his disposal at Hove.

“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity of taking the reins at such a proud and traditional club like Sussex,” Gillespie stated.

“Having spoken with both Keith (Greenfield, Sussex’s director of cricket) and Rob, I know that there is some excitement around the capabilities of the current playing group.

With 71 Baggy Green caps to his name, Gillespie will bring his experience to Sussex after fulfilling his duties as coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.