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Jason Gillespie speaking during the 3rd Test Pre-Match Press Conference
It is striking that he admits he is no longer involved in selection issues, and it almost seems that the PCB is snubbing him. I wonder if this means he is on the way out...
Here is the transcript of his presser:
About working with each member of the team as Head Coach:
“I regularly communicate with my players about their games and how we can help them improve as cricketers and individuals. I’m very fortunate to have wonderful support staffs who have built strong relationships with our players. Players often gravitate towards certain coaches, but teamwork is crucial, and I feel very lucky to have such supportive staff that helps me out.”
“We forge relationships with players and create an environment where they feel safe to speak openly and honestly. It’s a learning environment we strive to maintain.”
About Mir Hamza:
“His health is the most important thing, so I messaged him to check on him, and he's feeling a bit better. However, it was a setback for him to get sick but his health is of paramount importance, more than cricket or anything else.”
Impact of series win against England:
“Any series win is fantastic, especially considering Pakistan's Test cricket performance hasn't been where we'd like it to be in recent years. As a coach, I feel very protective of the players—they're the ones representing the country and playing their hearts out. It's a bit like a dad wanting to protect his kids from outside noise and distractions.”
“We're doing well as a support staff, making sure we're focusing on the right things at the right time. There are many things in professional sports that you can't control, so learning to focus on what you can control is a skill in itself. Staying calm and not getting flustered is essential, especially against a team like England, who always look to create pressure. We did that well in the last Test match, and I was really proud of the boys.”
“The surface we played on made for a great spectacle for the public—it was a challenging Test match for both teams. The first Test was batting-dominated, while the second saw a lot of spin, making it entertaining for the fans. The key is to focus on the right things and stay calm.”
About the new selection approach from PCB:
“After the test match, the PCB made some changes and decided that a new selection panel would take over decision-making. I wasn't involved in these decisions, so now I'm just focusing on my role as a coach, preparing match-day strategies and concentrating on getting the players ready for cricket.”
About England’s inexperienced bowling:
“We've discussed how to get the best out of our batting and put pressure on England. They will rely heavily on spin in this Test match, and we'll likely do the same. While their bowlers may not be very experienced, they are very good bowlers and deserve respect. Experience matters, but even players without many Test matches can make a significant impact. England has two young spinners at the start of their careers and the more experienced Jack Leach, giving them good options. Our batters need to be clear on their plans, stay calm, and play each ball on its merits. Hopefully, we can put the England bowlers under pressure and post a solid total.”
About Harry Brook:
"He's a fine player, no question about that. We were fortunate to get him out cheaply in both innings, especially after he scored so many runs in the first Test. It was nice to see him dismissed for not many runs. However, it's worth remembering that he's still early in his career, having played only 20 Test matches. He's still learning and growing as a player. That's something I'm trying to instill in our players - the idea that every day we play Test cricket is an opportunity to learn and improve.”
“I'm seeing that mindset develop in our team, and it's really energizing. The players are learning and growing, and that's what it's all about. I've talked about the importance of staying calm in different situations that can arise in Test cricket, and that's a key part of the learning process.”
It is striking that he admits he is no longer involved in selection issues, and it almost seems that the PCB is snubbing him. I wonder if this means he is on the way out...
Here is the transcript of his presser:
About working with each member of the team as Head Coach:
“I regularly communicate with my players about their games and how we can help them improve as cricketers and individuals. I’m very fortunate to have wonderful support staffs who have built strong relationships with our players. Players often gravitate towards certain coaches, but teamwork is crucial, and I feel very lucky to have such supportive staff that helps me out.”
“We forge relationships with players and create an environment where they feel safe to speak openly and honestly. It’s a learning environment we strive to maintain.”
About Mir Hamza:
“His health is the most important thing, so I messaged him to check on him, and he's feeling a bit better. However, it was a setback for him to get sick but his health is of paramount importance, more than cricket or anything else.”
Impact of series win against England:
“Any series win is fantastic, especially considering Pakistan's Test cricket performance hasn't been where we'd like it to be in recent years. As a coach, I feel very protective of the players—they're the ones representing the country and playing their hearts out. It's a bit like a dad wanting to protect his kids from outside noise and distractions.”
“We're doing well as a support staff, making sure we're focusing on the right things at the right time. There are many things in professional sports that you can't control, so learning to focus on what you can control is a skill in itself. Staying calm and not getting flustered is essential, especially against a team like England, who always look to create pressure. We did that well in the last Test match, and I was really proud of the boys.”
“The surface we played on made for a great spectacle for the public—it was a challenging Test match for both teams. The first Test was batting-dominated, while the second saw a lot of spin, making it entertaining for the fans. The key is to focus on the right things and stay calm.”
About the new selection approach from PCB:
“After the test match, the PCB made some changes and decided that a new selection panel would take over decision-making. I wasn't involved in these decisions, so now I'm just focusing on my role as a coach, preparing match-day strategies and concentrating on getting the players ready for cricket.”
About England’s inexperienced bowling:
“We've discussed how to get the best out of our batting and put pressure on England. They will rely heavily on spin in this Test match, and we'll likely do the same. While their bowlers may not be very experienced, they are very good bowlers and deserve respect. Experience matters, but even players without many Test matches can make a significant impact. England has two young spinners at the start of their careers and the more experienced Jack Leach, giving them good options. Our batters need to be clear on their plans, stay calm, and play each ball on its merits. Hopefully, we can put the England bowlers under pressure and post a solid total.”
About Harry Brook:
"He's a fine player, no question about that. We were fortunate to get him out cheaply in both innings, especially after he scored so many runs in the first Test. It was nice to see him dismissed for not many runs. However, it's worth remembering that he's still early in his career, having played only 20 Test matches. He's still learning and growing as a player. That's something I'm trying to instill in our players - the idea that every day we play Test cricket is an opportunity to learn and improve.”
“I'm seeing that mindset develop in our team, and it's really energizing. The players are learning and growing, and that's what it's all about. I've talked about the importance of staying calm in different situations that can arise in Test cricket, and that's a key part of the learning process.”
