Jason Gillespie named Redbacks coach, backed to “restore a winning culture’’ to SA cricket

South Australian cricket has a new coach with favourite son and former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie appointed to “restore a winning culture’’ at the Redbacks.

SACA president Andrew Sinclair and chief executive Keith Bradshaw alongside the Jason Gillespie statue at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

JASON Gillespie has been backed to “restore a winning culture’’ to South Australian cricket after he was today appointed Jamie Siddons’ successor as Redbacks head coach.

The former SA and Australian fast bowler, who also coaches the Adelaide Strikers BBL team, has signed a three-year deal.

Currently coaching English county club Sussex, he is due back in Australia to take up his Redbacks appointment in late September or early October.

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Redbacks bowling coach Luke Butterworth will continue to oversee training and trial games in “Dizzy’’ Gillespie’s absence.

A domestic fixture for the Australian summer has yet to be drawn up because of COVID-19.

SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw hailed the appointment, saying Gillespie, 45, was the standout candidate to revive SA cricket after three consecutive Sheffield Shield wooden spoons.

“He ticks all the boxes and we couldn’t be happier with the appointment,’’ Bradshaw said.

“Dizzy is a proven coach at a high level, having the ultimate success with the Strikers (in BBL07) and Yorkshire (in England) and is a true champion on and off the field.

Jason Gillespie (right) with Adelaide Strikers captain Travis Head with the BBL07 trophy. Picture: Sarah Reed

Jason Gillespie at Australia A cricket training in 2017. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

“He not only has great technical coaching ability but the ability to motivate people around him, to draw them in, which I think is going to be a key to success.

“He has the attributes to create an environment with a winning culture and we think we have the right man to turn things around.’’

Gillespie famously led English country club Yorkshire from the second division to consecutive County Championship titles in 2014-15.

The short-list of nine candidates for the main Redbacks role included former Australian coach John Buchanan and ex-Australian Test men Ryan Harris and Chris Rogers.

Bradshaw said Gillespie’s success with the Strikers, who he has coached since 2015, helped his cause.

He also has an excellent understanding of SACA Premier Cricket and strong relationships with many first grade coaches.

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The popular Gillespie’s appointment ticks the boxes of the Hussey Review, which recommended linking the Redbacks and Strikers programs.

Hussey’s off-season review into SA high performance cricket also called for a balance “between people who know the SA way and people from outside the state who have worked in successful programs”.

Former Test star Hussey was on the coach selection panel, along with Bradshaw, SA high performance manager Tim Nielsen, former Australian wicketkeeper and current SACA board member Rod Marsh and Cricket Australia executive Belinda Clark.

“It certainly helps someone you know very well, who not only has a proven track record but a proven track record with our program,’’ Bradshaw said.

“We’ve seen the way Dizzy operates the Strikers program and the way he can motivate players and get the best out of them.

“We are very confident he’ll be a very successful coach for us.’’

Originally published as Jason Gillespie named Redbacks coach, backed to “restore a winning culture’’ to SA cricket