Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @Jason_Gillespie
Jason Gillespie revealed that he resigned as Pakistan’s Test coach due to being excluded from key decision-making processes.
The former Australian fast bowler, 49, was appointed in April on a two-year contract but stepped down last week. Ex-Pakistan seamer Aqib Javed has since been named interim red-ball head coach.
Gillespie highlighted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) dismissal of high-performance coach Tim Nielsen as a pivotal factor in his decision. He stated he had received “absolutely zero communication” from the PCB about Nielsen’s removal, calling it “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“There were certainly challenges. I went into the job eyes wide open… but the straw that broke the camel’s back was the decision to not have a high-performance coach,” Gillespie said.
“I was completely and utterly blindsided by a decision to not have a high-performance coach,” Gillespie told ABC Sport. “I just thought after a number of other things that had gone on in the previous few months, that was probably the moment where I thought, ‘Well, I’m not really sure if they actually really want me to do this job or not.'”
During Pakistan’s recent Test series victory over England, the PCB announced a new selection panel that did not involve Gillespie. Despite joining with “eyes wide open” to Pakistan’s frequent coaching changes, he expressed frustration over his reduced role.
“I felt I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game,” he said. Gillespie emphasized the need for clear communication with selectors and stakeholders, stating, “As head coach, you want to know the team well before the game, or at least the day before.”
Gillespie’s resignation, despite having a contract until 2026, underscores the significance of clear communication and mutual respect between a coach and the governing body. He described his role as being diminished to basic tasks, such as catching balls, rather than being actively involved in team decisions and strategies.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
