Relaxed approach is Gillespie's manner (From The Northern Echo)

Relaxed approach is Gillespie's manner

6:25pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in Yorkshire CCC By Graham Hardcastle

JASON Gillespie yesterday revealed that he will bring a relaxed style of coaching to his new role as the head of Yorkshire's first-team.

The ex-Australia fast bowler, a former overseas player with the county, is in the middle of a week-long recce at Headingley before he takes over full-time in the New Year, possibly as early as the end of January if work permit issues allow.

He is staying at director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon's house, and has met the office staff and has addressed the majority of the playing staff since arriving on Monday.

"It was a very informal chat with the guys," explained the 36 year-old, who has signed an initial two-year deal. "It was just about outlining a couple of thoughts on how I'd like the first-team to go about things.

"From when I played here, I know a lot of the players. But there's some of the young guys that I hadn't met. I've done that over the last few days."

Currently coaching the Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwe, Gillespie is due to take over a county who endured a nightmare summer in 2011, culminating in County Championship relegation.

But he insists "there's certainly no air of despair, so to speak".

He said: "I've seen the guys in training at David Lloyd (fitness centre) - and I'll tell you what, these guys are fit. It's really exciting. I'm incredibly excited about working with this group of players.

"We're going to train hard and train smart. We're going to work as hard as we can, then the boys can go out there safe in the knowledge that they've done all the work and can go out there and enjoy themselves.

"I'm pretty relaxed, but when it comes to preparation, I'd like to make sure we do it very well.

"I don't see the point in training half-hearted. If we're going to be there, we're going to do it properly and nail it. I believe that a guy can then walk out of a session knowing that he's done everything he can to be a better cricketer that day. Mentally, that's a good feeling.

"If a player needs something specific, I'll do anything I can to make sure that's facilitated."

Moxon added: "For me, the great strength Jason has is having the balance between authority and being one of the lads. To have that authority and affinity to the player at the same time is massive from a coaching point of view."

Since retiring as a player at the end of the 2008 English season, 'Dizzy' has done some media work and has coached Australia A, in the IPL and in Zimbabwe.

"I made the decision a couple of years back that I really wanted to give coaching a go," he said.

"I tried a few things when I finished playing, I experimented because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do post career. I did a bit of media work and only dabbled in coaching. But I found it really exciting.

"I got an opportunity to coach in Zimbabwe, and when I saw the opportunity in the UK, and at Yorkshire where I'd played, I put my name in the hat. It was an easy decision to do that. Then I got the interview and was offered the job. In the end, it was another easy decision to make.

"When I started coaching, one of my goals was to coach in county cricket. Where better to coach than at Yorkshire?"