Jason Gillespie interview: Continuing his pursuit of excellence as a coach

Alam Khan - Reporter 21:29 20/06/2014
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  • A decade with one of the greatest-ever sporting sides, and not just in cricket either, provided Australian Jason Gillespie with many cherished moments, but also the perfect grounding for his coaching career.

    As a prominent member of arguably the finest bowling attack in the modern era, he flourished alongside Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, and under the leadership of legends such as Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

    Gillespie admits his time with the all-conquering ‘Baggy Greens’ from 1996-2006 instilled a winning mentality and desire that he is keen to encourage among the next generation – and produce the same success off the pitch as he had on it.

    “Any time being part of a winning team, that was the highlight as a player, and it’s the same now,” he said. “We all contribute to the success in whatever capacity. I’m proud of my record as a player, but it’s a team game and you always win together and lose together.

    “Coaching wasn’t something I thought I was going to do. It was only right at the end of my career, when I played for Glamorgan and I was helping out a couple of the bowlers. At that time Matt Maynard said it might be worth getting your coaching badges.

    “Then I was in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and I was working with a few of the young lads at Ahmedabad Rockets and I really enjoyed it and it took off from there.”

    It certainly has as he was handed the role of head coach three years ago at English county side Yorkshire and has helped turn them into title challengers as well as developing their talent, which includes current England stars Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Jonny Bairstow and pace bowler Liam Plunkett.

    “We are certainly looking to push for success on all fronts,” he said. “That’s our challenge. We talk about being as best prepared as we can be and, if we do that, it allows you to go out and play with freedom, play with enjoyment. For me that’s absolutely key.”

    It was the same with Australia as he recalled: “Yes, there’s an element of that. We had wonderful players and coach, John Buchanan, understood that.

    “But he also tried to challenge us to do better, individually to be better and contribute better to the team. He posed questions to us and that was his strength as a coach.

    “I did that, pushed myself, and the only time I probably didn’t was towards the end of my career when I was probably set in my ways as a player and when I knew my time was up – I could be a bit of a stubborn player. I’ve taken all that into my coaching and I can spot lads now maybe who are just coasting, not striving to improve or better themselves.”

    Gillespie, 39, is learning well as international recognition comes for his players – and may well come for him too as his reputation grows.

    “It’s something I’d be interested in in the future,” he said. “I want to help with success at Yorkshire, but down the track, if the right opportunity presents itself then I’d put my name in the hat for an international side.

    “I’m excited about what I can achieve at Yorkshire and I’ve still got a lot to learn as a coach and man-manager. We have great talent here and we want to see them develop.

    “Take Joe Root (above). I think he’s a wonderful young man, works incredibly hard on his game and asks questions to challenge himself. That’s the reason he is doing well and he will get better if he continues to do those things.

    “He’s got a long and successful career ahead of him and I think it’s possible he will become the England captain. It wouldn’t put him under any undue pressure, but spur him on.”

    Despite his affinity with English cricket and support for Yorkshire’s England contingent, Gillespie could not hide his pride at the way his country overcame their troubles last summer to reclaim the Ashes a few months later.

    It was reminiscent of his old side as they put a 3-0 Test series loss in England – and the coaching change with Darren Lehmann replacing Mickey Arthur – behind them to whitewash Alastair Cook’s outfit 5-0 with the oft-maligned Mitchell Johnson leading a brilliant bowling display with 37 wickets.

    “It was a pleasure to watch Australian side play that sort of cricket. Hard, fair, in-yourface type of cricket,” he said. “That counter-attacking, putting pressure back on the opponents… that’s the way Australians play best, an attacking brand of cricket.

    "When you see the negative sides of recent past, fast bowlers put sweepers out, it’s focused on saving runs rather than taking wickets and that’s the difference between teams of the past and this last Ashes series.

    “Mitchell’s performance shows what can happen when you have a clear mind and get support. He’s worked very hard with the coaches on making sure his line at the crease is spot on, a minor technical thing and that’s helped him.

    “That 5-0 whitewash was some of the best cricket ever played by an Australian team. It was a pleasure to observe and proud to see an Australian side playing like that, a breath of fresh air and welcome given what happened in the previous couple of years.

    “What changed? I think it’s the mindset for me. Before Darren Lehmann was appointed, there was a lot of talk about planning for the future and if we do this and that now, a lot of crystal-balling. But there’s been more of a focus on the now and the best way to plan for the future is get the now right.

    “I think the greatest challenge for Darren and Cricket Australia is finding that balance between the now and the future. When they get that right you are going to see an era of dominance for Australia again.”

    It seems strange to think they, or anyone, will ever be as dominant as Gillespie and the greats, but he added: “It was wonderful to be part of that side that performed strongly, but it will come again, whether it will be our side or other countries that have had periods of dominance as well.

    “The game stops for no one. I hope it’s Australia, but India have the potential. They have some wonderful players, but their biggest challenge has and always will be playing away from the subcontinent.

    “They also need to develop a new group of fast bowling options. They are always going to produce spinners, but seam is going to be key.

    “In Virat Kohli, they have one of the best batsmen I have ever seen. He is going to go down as one of the greats of the game. I really like his mindset. He comes across as always being positive, a winner.”

    That is certainly something that resonates with Gillespie.

    SHORT AND SWEET

    Best team-mate?
    It’s a genuine toss-up because I played with some of the best who ever played the game. It’s hard to split Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.

    Toughest batsman faced?
    Brian Lara. He always found ways to score runs. He was better than Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin was wonderful, but Brian played in a team that was not as good as the Indian side.

    Best coach?
    I enjoyed working under John Buchanan with the Australian side. He made you think outside the square, while Geoff Marsh brought a fantastic work ethic. My first coach at South Australia, Jeff Hammond, was fantastic at managing players, and Martyn Moxon at Yorkshire when I played and Matt Maynard at Glamorgan.

    Players you currently admire?
    I enjoy watching Dale Steyn bowl – one of the most complete fast bowlers I’ve seen. Of the batsmen, Virat Kohli, while David Warner is blossoming as a Test cricketer. He’s maturing, he brings the crowds in. David’s a bit rough around the edges and that’s what makes him what he is.”

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