India may still be some distance away from comparisons with the great Australian teams of the past but Jason Gillespie is impressed with the side's improving overseas performances.
“Not a lot of countries are great travellers. A lot of teams play well at home but not so much away. India are certainly bridging that gap,” the former Australia fast bowler said here on Wednesday.
“India have shown adaptability to other conditions and situations... that’s [due to] the growth of players and coaching. Australia are still learning. As with any side, you’re judged on your results not just at home but away as well.”
Gillespie is part of an Australian faculty conducting a re-certification programme for Level 3 Indian coaches at the National Cricket Academy here. The 42-year-old admitted last month that he had considered applying for India's coaching job before deciding otherwise.
“You need to take into account family situations and things like that,” said Gillespie, who enjoyed a successful coaching stint with English county side Yorkshire before moving back home in 2016. “The reason I left Yorkshire at the end of the last county season was to bring my family back to Australia. That position hasn’t really changed. I was asked the question: ‘Had I thought about applying (for the India job)?’ Yeah, I thought about it. The Indian job is one of the biggest in world cricket — if not the biggest. There are only so many international coaching roles. You certainly have to take that into consideration. But look, India have got the right man in place; there’s no doubt about that.”
Gillespie has recently been touted as a possible bowling coach for England with Ottis Gibson, the incumbent, expected to take charge of South Africa.
“It’s very flattering to be thought of in that way. But my commitment is to the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL,” he said. “I do a little bit of work for Cricket Australia. I’ll be looking to see what other opportunities are out there in T20 leagues around the world.”
Tough assignment
The Australian team, which has finally resolved a lengthy pay dispute, is set to visit Bangladesh later this month for a two-Test series. Gillespie felt it would be a tough tour.
“Obviously, there was a pay dispute and that’s all behind everyone now,” he said. “At home, Bangladesh are a challenging side to play as England found out last year. When I played there several years ago, they put us under a lot of pressure and they’ve certainly improved since then. It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
