Jason Gillespie says Adelaide will learn lessons of BBL finals exit and expects to return with star tweaker Rashid Khan next season
Adelaide coach Jason Gillespie says the Strikers will learn from their BBL finals exit and provided an insight into the contract future of himself and Rashid Khan.
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Jason Gillespie concedes Adelaide blew a second title shot in three seasons but is already plotting revenge with off-contract superstar Rashid Khan.
Gillespie is “gutted” by the Strikers’ eight-run, Knockout final exit against Sydney Thunder on Saturday night, which was caused by a 5-24 collapse chasing 152.
Strikers boss Gillespie expects to nut out a contract extension with SACA high performance manager Tim Nielsen, saying he has unfinished business after the Strikers’ fourth-placed finish.
“We have been talking and hopefully it will be sorted soon. It would be nice to another year or two at least,” said Gillespie, who succeeded Darren Berry as Strikers coach in 2015-16.
“We will have a degree of optimism into next year.”
Premier leg-spinner Rashid told The Advertiser last December he would front for BBL07 champion Adelaide as long as the franchise desires.
Gillespie wants to continue as Rashid’s mentor with English side Sussex and the Strikers.
“We would love to have Rash back, he is part of the furniture in Adelaide. Three seasons and just about our all-time leading wicket-taker, which shows you the impact he has had,” said Gillespie of Rashid, who needs five wickets to usurp Ben Laughlin (60) as Adelaide’s most prolific bowler.
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“He is an demand player around the world but made it pretty clear he loves coming to Adelaide.”
Gillespie would like Sussex opener Phil Salt to return for a second BBL campaign pending availability.
“All things being equal it would be great to see Phil back. He got four 50s and if you told me that at the start of the tournament I would have taken that,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.
Adelaide at 3-115 needed 37 runs from 31 balls before Thunder skipper Callum Ferguson’s run out of Alex Carey (28, 32) saw it unravel.
“You can’t beat around the bush, (we) stuffed it up. Fair play to Sydney Thunder, (they) bowled and fielded well,” said Gillespie.
“We should have romped it home.
“We did well to restrict them to that target.
“It is a hard pill to swallow.
“We will take the lessons and be better next time.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the boys all tournament, we played some really good cricket.”
Rashid and Peter Siddle took 19 wickets each to secure BBL team of the tournament recognition along with middle-order batsman Jon Wells, who banked 478 runs at 68.2.
“We were backing ourselves in, certainly feel we have the squad to go all the way,” said Gillespie, with Adelaide boasting six top 10 performers for runs and wickets.
“The numbers show we weren’t relying on one or two players.”
“Wes Agar (17 wickets) showed signs of progression, Jono Wells has been absolutely brilliant.”