Sussex name Jason Gillespie as head coach

Sussex have named Jason Gillespie as their new head coach on an initial three-year contract.

Gillespie - who replaces Mark Davis in the role after he left Hove by mutual consent in October - will take up his post in the New Year and will be in place for the county's pre-season tour.

The 42-year-old led Yorkshire to two successive County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015 and has been in charge of Adelaide Strikers for the past two Big Bash League seasons.

Gillespie also enjoyed a successful playing career as a fast bowler, taking 402 wickets in 169 appearances in all three formats of the game for Australia.

He made an unbeaten double hundred against Bangladesh in his final Test match in 2006.

"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity of taking the reins at such a proud and traditional club like Sussex," Gillespie told the club's official website.

"Having spoken with both Keith [Greenfield, Sussex's director of cricket] and Rob [Andrew, Sussex cricket chief executive], I know that there is some excitement around the capabilities of the current playing group.

"I look forward to getting over there and playing my role in helping Sussex achieve its on and off-field goals for 2018 and beyond."

Sussex Cricket chief executive, Rob Andrew, added: "Jason is exactly the experienced head coach we had hoped we would attract to the role.

"He has enormous experience of the English county game after his very successful spell with Yorkshire.

"We believe we have a very talented young squad and we need a bit a bit of stability and a coach of Jason's experience to help mould a successful team over the next few years."