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Gillespie appointed coach of Sussex

Champion former paceman pens three-year deal as head coach of county side

Former Test quick Jason Gillespie will return to the United Kingdom next year after county side Sussex announced they've signed the Australian as their head coach.

Gillespie, who led Yorkshire to back-to-back County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015 before leaving his post to return home, has signed a three-year deal with the southern English side.

The 42-year-old replaces Mark Davis who left the club last month.

Gillespie is expected to continue to coach in the KFC Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers, whom he'll take charge of for a third season this summer.

"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity of taking the reins at such a proud and traditional club like Sussex,” Gillespie said, who will begin the new role early next year.

"I know that there is some excitement around the capabilities of the current playing group.

"I look forward to getting over there and playing my role in helping Sussex achieve its on and off-field goals for 2018 and beyond."

Gillespie recently took the reins of the Papua New Guinea national team on an interim basis, while he also filled as an assistant with Kent earlier this year.

The former right-arm paceman, who claimed more than 400 international wickets in a decorated playing career, was named head coach of the Australia A side for their tour of South Africa earlier this year before the trip was cancelled due to the pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the players.

 "Jason is exactly the experienced Head Coach we had hoped we would attract to the role," Sussex Cricket Chief executive Rob Andrew said.

“He has enormous experience of the English county game after his very successful spell with Yorkshire.

“We believe we have a very talented young squad and we need a bit a bit of stability and a coach of Jason’s experience to help mould a successful team over the next few years."

Sussex finished fourth in Division Two of the four-day County Championship competition, while they missed the finals of the domestic one-day and T20 competitions.

Their squad features the likes of England limited-overs players Chris Jordan and Luke Wright.