Big Bash championship winning coach Jason Gillespie extends Adelaide Strikers contract

South Australian cricket have made a wise choice extending the contract of Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie for another two years.

Having launched Travis Head and Alex Carey to international acclaim, Adelaide Strikers boss Jason Gillespie could be forced to sacrifice a BBL dynasty for the national good.

Strikers title winning skipper Head will make his Test debut for Australia against Pakistan in the Dubai series opener starting Sunday.

“Hopefully he is playing for Australia but certainly from a franchise point of view to have your captain around for any period of time is fantastic but he has to live his dream,” said Gillespie, who on Wednesday inked a two-year, Strikers contract extension.

Carey, spearhead Billy Stanlake, boom opener Jake Weatherald and allrounder Michael Neser are also destined for Test and limited overs duty this summer.

“It is a great challenge for us but doesn’t concern me,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.

“When it comes to Big Bash as franchises we have to find the balance. We are trying to win now and develop players to represent our country. The more the merrier for me.

“If we lose a number lads to the Australian team I am delighted, it gives other guys opportunities.

“Hopefully we can get some more blokes to press for higher honours.”

Gillespie was armed with three of the BBL’s top four run-scorers on the way to Adelaide’s inaugural 2017-18 championship. Keeper-batsman Carey cracked 443 runs at 49, Weatherald’s 383 included a match-winning final ton against Hobart while Head contributed 374 runs at 53.

Carey will be Australia’s first choice keeper in the limited overs forms this summer and heir to Test keeper Tim Paine. Gillespie wasn’t surprised at Carey’s fast track to the Australian T20 vice captaincy this winter against England after a break-out BBL campaign.

“It gives you a good indication of the kind of bloke he is, it didn’t surprise me. You can just tell with guys and Alex is someone who is a leader, absolutely stoked for him and good sign of endorsement from selectors,” said Gillespie.

Weatherald started South Australia’s JLT Cup campaign with a decisive ton against New South Wales and expects the strokeplayer to soon receive an international start.

“The world is his oyster. We are fully aware these situations could arise,” said Gillespie of left-hander Weatherald.

Gillespie may lose stars but a BBL title to match his County championships coaching Yorkshire whetted the appetite for more.

“We would love to put some performances in over the next couple of years for sure,” said Gillespie with the Strikers penning a sponsorship deal with People’s Choice Credit union.

“We played some really good cricket last year and fortunate to come away with the trophy but hopefully than can just be the start.”