Former Aussie Stars Set To Coach Australia A : Three Former Australian cricketers Jason Gillespie, Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin are all set to take the coaching jobs as members of high powered support staff during Australia A”s tour of South Africa in July and August.
The head coaching role of the team is assigned to the former Australian cricketing stalwart and the current coach of Adelaide strikers Jason Gillespie. Chris rogers and Brad Haddin are appointed for the assistant coaching duties. The Australian A tour is comprised of two four-day matches against South Africa A followed by 50-over tri-series which also involves India A.
Gillespie had previously served as acting head coach of Australia during their recent twenty20 series against Sri Lanka. He, along with rogers and Haddin have been provided the responsibility to groom the next generation of young Australian players for the future.
“I”m thrilled to be appointed as head coach of Australia A for the series against South Africa A and India A, and I”m looking forward to working with Chris and Brad in the coming months,” Gillespie said.
He further added, “While the squad has yet to be named, it will no doubt feature some of the country”s most talented players, and players challenging for the opportunity to play international cricket for Australia.
“This tour will provide those players with the chance to push their claims for those opportunities, and to experience a really high standard of competition and life on the road. It”s a really exciting time to be involved in Australian cricket, and I can”t wait to join up with the squad and head to South Africa.”
Pat Howard, Cricket Australia high performance manager was thrilled to announce these three “quality people” for the coaching roles as he went on to praise their expertise and experience of playing cricket in different conditions.
“Jason has substantial head coaching experience, both with the Adelaide Strikers and in an extremely successful stint as coach of Yorkshire in the England County Championship,” he said. “He also impressed as an assistant coach of the Australian T20 side earlier this year, so we look forward to seeing what he can achieve with this side.
“With Brad and Chris as assistant coaches, Jason will have plenty of support to call on,” he added. “Brad has also already been involved in the Australian cricket team”s coaching set-up, as an assistant for the tour of South Africa in 2016, while Chris has been involved at underage level, as an assistant coach for the Cricket Australia XI at the under-19 National Championships.”
Australia A tour of South Africa – Fixtures
Four-day matches
12 July – 15 July: Australia A v South Africa A at Tukkies
19 July – 22 July: Australia A v South Africa A at Senwes Park
One-day tri-series
26 July: Australia A v India A at Tukkies
30 July: Australia A v South Africa A at Groenkloof
1 August: Australia A v India A at Tukkies
5 August: Australia A v South Africa A at Tukkies
8 August: Tri Series Final at Tukkies
