Gillespie: I can't wait to get stuck in at Sussex

Jason Gillespie is relishing his new Sussex challenge

New Sussex cricket head coach Jason Gillespie has revealed he didn't think he'd be able to take the job when the idea was first raised '“ but can't wait to get started now it has become a reality.

The Australian legend takes over at Hove for the 2018 season after agreeing a three-year deal and says he is eagerly looking forward to getting to know the club, the players and the staff – and giving supporters plenty to shout about.

But the job was not something Gillespie was expecting to be offered, or initially thought he could take.

“It’s a bit of a surprise to be going back to county cricket so soon after leaving it,” the 42-year-old told Sussex Newspapers.

Jason Gillespie takes a wicket at Lord's during the 2001 Ashes series

He left Yorkshire last year after five years at Headingley but said: “A mate of mine said someone at Sussex was after my number. Rob Andrew (Sussex CEO) called me to gauge my interest in the role. My initial thought was that it could not happen.

“I left Yorkshire in 2016 and moved my family back to Australia and we have all been very settled. The thought of moving the family back to the UK didn’t quite fit. But Rob said the club were open to me coming over in March and staying until the end of the season and to making plans for my family coming over too.

“Once we went down that path I was thinking ‘this could work’. The job itself, and returning to county cricket, was never a problem. I love county cricket. So once that issue was sorted out, there was no reason not to do it. Michael de Venuto does a similar thing with Surrey.”