Gillespie backs Yorkshire protegees over ex-Oz side to retain Ashes urn for England

Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie, who has spent two highly successful years as coach of English county side Yorkshire, has backed his Yorkshire protegees playing in the England squad to help the side retain the urn in the winter Ashes series.

Yorkshire players Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance are all in the official party, with their county teammate Tim Bresnan accompanying the 17-man squad in a bid to prove his fitness for the first Test in Brisbane which starts on November 21.

According to the Mirror, although Gillespie said that being a former Australian cricketer, he would always want the team to do well, it is however, his job as Yorkshire coach to help the players under his umbrella to perform strongly and do well in the Ashes.

Gillespie further said that he wants the England players to not only score big runs and take a number of wickets, but also work as a team to help the side achieve success in the Ashes.