Yorkshire Ring the Changes Following Relegation to Division Two   You are here: Home » News Detail

Gillespie leads the influx at Headingley

Yorkshire CC’s director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon has decided to have a major shake up of coaching personnel following the club’s shock relegation from Division One of the County Championship.

Yorkshire legends Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan had been called in behind the scenes to assist with the drawn out interview process, which seems to be a clear knee-jerk reaction to relegation from the club.

Former Australian fast bowler, and former player at Headingley, Jason Gillespie, leads the influx of new coaches. Gillespie arrives at the club, on the back of a two-year coaching stint in Zimbabwe with club Midwest Rhinos.

Kent’s former director of cricket Paul Farbrace joins Gillespie as another new arrival at Headingley, taking up the role of Second X1 head coach. The 44-year old, who has had no previous links with Yorkshire, will also assist with the wicket keeping coaching at the club.

Yorkshire were surprised by Farbrace’s application for only the 2X1 job, but the former Kent coach had stressed his desire to return to coaching young players. Moxon was clearly impressed with Farbrace, who has worked with many of Yorkshire’s players at England U17 & U19 level.

With a clear intention to be promoted straight back to the top tier of the County Championship next season, Yorkshire have relieved bowling coach Steve Oldham, and batting coach Kevin Sharp of their duties.

Oldham is probably the biggest shock of the departures, leaving the club after over 25 years of coaching at Headingley, tutoring international stars like Darren Gough, and Ryan Sidebottom and Matthew Hoggard throughout his time at Yorkshire.

Sharp had also been serving as batting coach at the club for a number of years, and had previously played for the White Roses for over 10 seasons.

Former Yorkshire player Craig White who had been serving as first team coach also leaves the club, in pursuit of a new ambition to become an international umpire.

Ian Dews, who had previously held the role of Director of Operatives, moves to a new role of Director of Cricket development, meanwhile, Richard Damms has been appointed the club’s new development manager.

The new-look coaching staff paves the way for potential squad changes this winter. Whilst player changes are not likely to be as drastic, there is likely to a couple of signings and departures before the start of next season.

Yorkshire have already signed their overseas player for the 2012 season. Australian batsman Phil Jaques has joined the club on a two-year contract. The former Nottinghamshire player scored just under 2,500 runs for the club in his first spell at Headingley in 2004, averaging 61.92

Jamie Hopkins

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