Gillespie, Rogers, Haddin to coach Australia A

Jason Gillespie, Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin will further their coaching ambitions as part of a high-powered support staff to mentor Australia A on their scheduled tour of South Africa in July and August.

The tour's status is somewhat clouded as the first to commence after the June 30 expiry of the current pay deal between CA and the Australian Cricketers Association, with discussions continuing. Mitchell Starc spoke for leading players on Thursday when he said he is not interested in engaging in contract talks with CA until a deal is struck.

Having previously served as acting head coach of Australia during their recent Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, Gillespie will helm the tour with assistance from Rogers during the first-class portion of the trip before Haddin subs in for the limited-overs triangular series that also features India A.

"I'm thrilled to be appointed as head coach of Australia A for the series against South Africa A and India A, and I'm looking forward to working with Chris and Brad in the coming months," Gillespie said. "While the squad has yet to be named, it will no doubt feature some of the country's most talented players, and players challenging for the opportunity to play international cricket for Australia.

"This tour will provide those players with the chance to push their claims for those opportunities, and to experience a really high standard of competition and life on the road. It's a really exciting time to be involved in Australian cricket, and I can't wait to join up with the squad and head to South Africa."

Pat Howard, the Cricket Australia team performance manager, had previously indicated that the nation's young batsmen could do with some of the knowhow built up by Rogers over a lengthy first-class career. Having retired from the game last year, Rogers is currently working as an assistant coach with Somerset.

"It's extremely pleasing to have three quality people in Jason, Chris and Brad on-board to guide the Australia A squad in their upcoming Tour of South Africa," Howard said. "All three have significant experience as players, in varying conditions across the world over their lengthy careers, which will no doubt be invaluable for the players touring with this squad.

"Jason has substantial head coaching experience, both with the Adelaide Strikers and in an extremely successful stint as coach of Yorkshire in the England County Championship. He also impressed as an assistant coach of the Australian T20 side earlier this year, so we look forward to seeing what he can achieve with this side.

"With Brad and Chris as assistant coaches, Jason will have plenty of support to call on. Brad has also already been involved in the Australian Cricket Team coaching set-up, as an assistant for the tour of South Africa in 2016, while Chris has been involved at underage level, as an assistant coach for the Cricket Australia XI at the under-19 National Championships.

"A number of Australia A representatives in 2016, including the likes of Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright and Chris Tremain, made their international debuts during the 2016-17 season, and we believe this coaching panel will help develop more cricketers ready to push for an international debut or a return to international ranks."