Q&A with Gillespie and Donald
Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 4:11 pm
There was a press conference at HSC this morning for the official 'unveiling' of Alan Donald and Jason Gillespie as Rhinos and Mountaineers coaches respectively - obviously, I wasn't able to get there myself, but here are a few key quotes:
Reaction towards the appointment as a franchise head coach in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie (MidWest Rhinos): “I was delighted to take the opportunity, it’s fantastic because the cricket in Zimbabwe is very much on the up and to be a part of it is very humbling. I have been telling the people in Australia that I’ve only been here for a few days and the atmosphere here on cricket and everything is really exciting and as a new coach it really exciting and something we can sink our teeth in. ”
Alan Donald (Mountaineers): “I did not hesitate one inch and I agree with Jason [Gillespie], we were commentating in Dubai talking about the situation in Zimbabwe and the efforts being made to get cricket where it belongs. It has been a very good move for me and I did not hesitate to make the move.”
On their roles as coaches in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie: “Although my main role will be to focus on the Midwest Rhinos but as coaches we have a role to develop the game at all levels and if I can be a part of that in any small way I will certainly jump on that. Midwest Rhinos have a lot of young players and my role is to help them achieve their goals both as individuals and a collective group and if i can be a part of that and work at grass roots level then that will be a real bonus.”
What impression they have on fast bowlers in Zimbabwe
Alan Donald: “I’ve been watching the triangular between Zimbabwe, India and Sri Lanka and I’ve already been talking about a few guys. We will be bumping into a lot of guys along the way and we will certainly identify the talent that is around. There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is got what it takes to play at the highest level-test cricket.”
Notions on their assigned teams
Alan Donald: “I am coming into a team that has two out of three so no pressure at all. That is also the challenge after a dream season like that and you win two trophies, not only is the pressure for the coach but the team as well. I believe that I can maintain the attitude and intensity levels at the franchise for the guys to respond to the responsibility that lies this season and winning becomes a culture. For me one of things I need to do is to make a lot of the youngsters thinks like international cricketers or prepare like international cricketers and that is my aim to try and get that mentality straight up there.”
Jason Gillespie: “My focus is on the Rhinos and getting things in place, first and foremost we will be looking to enjoy our cricket and the number one focus is to be an entertaining side. We want people to walk away and say that we really play positive cricket and we were entertained today. That will be our focus and we are really excited about that.”
Reaction towards the appointment as a franchise head coach in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie (MidWest Rhinos): “I was delighted to take the opportunity, it’s fantastic because the cricket in Zimbabwe is very much on the up and to be a part of it is very humbling. I have been telling the people in Australia that I’ve only been here for a few days and the atmosphere here on cricket and everything is really exciting and as a new coach it really exciting and something we can sink our teeth in. ”
Alan Donald (Mountaineers): “I did not hesitate one inch and I agree with Jason [Gillespie], we were commentating in Dubai talking about the situation in Zimbabwe and the efforts being made to get cricket where it belongs. It has been a very good move for me and I did not hesitate to make the move.”
On their roles as coaches in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie: “Although my main role will be to focus on the Midwest Rhinos but as coaches we have a role to develop the game at all levels and if I can be a part of that in any small way I will certainly jump on that. Midwest Rhinos have a lot of young players and my role is to help them achieve their goals both as individuals and a collective group and if i can be a part of that and work at grass roots level then that will be a real bonus.”
What impression they have on fast bowlers in Zimbabwe
Alan Donald: “I’ve been watching the triangular between Zimbabwe, India and Sri Lanka and I’ve already been talking about a few guys. We will be bumping into a lot of guys along the way and we will certainly identify the talent that is around. There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is got what it takes to play at the highest level-test cricket.”
Notions on their assigned teams
Alan Donald: “I am coming into a team that has two out of three so no pressure at all. That is also the challenge after a dream season like that and you win two trophies, not only is the pressure for the coach but the team as well. I believe that I can maintain the attitude and intensity levels at the franchise for the guys to respond to the responsibility that lies this season and winning becomes a culture. For me one of things I need to do is to make a lot of the youngsters thinks like international cricketers or prepare like international cricketers and that is my aim to try and get that mentality straight up there.”
Jason Gillespie: “My focus is on the Rhinos and getting things in place, first and foremost we will be looking to enjoy our cricket and the number one focus is to be an entertaining side. We want people to walk away and say that we really play positive cricket and we were entertained today. That will be our focus and we are really excited about that.”