Jason Gillespie considering taking up role with South Australia instead of possible England job
April 13, 2015 9:00PM
SOUTH AUSTRALIA is moving tantalisingly closer to a dream appointment of Jason Gillespie as Redbacks and Strikers coach.
Gillespie has been locked in as Strikers coach but The Advertiser last month revealed the former Test paceman was also considering the Redbacks role, replacing Darren Berry.
The lure of home and unprecedented autonomy in reforming SA cricket - then succeeding Darren Lehmann as Australia coach - is now an attractive prospect for title winning Yorkshire coach Gillespie.
Former Lord’s boss, now SACA chief Keith Bradshaw, has told The Advertiser that the next coaching appointments for the struggling Redbacks and Strikers are the most critical in its history with Gillespie a one-stop solution.
Having got his man for the T20 job, Bradshaw can offer a compelling vision across all forms for Gillespie.
Returning home to Adelaide Oval would mean leaving the White Roses program Gillespie reformed then steered to the 2014 County title. Yorkshire also has six players in England’s squad to tour the West Indies.
Gillespie would have to again ignore overtures to coach England if, or when, under pressure Peter Moores departs before or post Ashes.
Bradshaw has set up a crack committee including Test great Adam Gilchrist and AFL legend David Parkin to review South Australian cricket and recruit a head coach if Gillespie declines the Redbacks role.
However SACA’s chances of snaring Gillespie full time from next season have shortened.
While Gillespie was hired at Yorkshire by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves, the game in the Old Dart is in a state of flux, with the ECB now searching for a replacement for Paul Downton as director of cricket.
Former England skipper Andrew Strauss is interested in the director of cricket role replacing Downton.
Another former Ashes-winning skipper and Gillespie confidant Michael Vaughan is also in the hunt for the ECB role.
SACA will be out to reclaim its favourite son before the ECB and possibly Vaughan can secure Gillespie.
Originally published as SACA set to swoop on Dizzy before England
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