- Classy act by Aussie Test great Jason Gillespie is going viral
- Ex-fast bowler is now coaching the Pakistan men’s team
Footage of Australian fast-bowling great Jason Gillespie cleaning up after Pakistan’s cricket team has left the nation’s fans red-faced.
Gillespie, 49, is the coach of the struggling Pakistani national Test side, which is currently one of the toughest gigs in world sport.
A cricketing powerhouse for decades, Pakistan has had a disastrous run both in red-ball and white-ball cricket for several years.
Gillespie – who took over Pakistan’s Test team in April – has a big job ahead of him, with some players in the side criticised for attitude problems.
That was highlighted on Tuesday when Gillespie was spotted picking up discarded rubbish left the his players after their training session in Rawalpindi.
Embarrassed Pakistan cricket fans have taken to social media to say the clip speaks volumes about their national team.
One fan posted to X: ‘Gillespie picked up the empty bottles left by the Pakistani players after the practice session. It’s just a small thing, but it shows the mentality of our players. Cleaning up after oneself seems to be considered a menial task. Learn some basic manners.’
Another fan wrote: ‘It is heartbreaking to see the condition of Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure. When head coach Jason Gillespie is picking up garbage due to lack of cleaning staff. And the interesting thing is that to avoid this embarrassment they named it humility.’
A third posted: ‘This tells you all you need to know about Jason Gillespie and also a huge amount about the Pakistan players. It doesn’t take much to pick up your rubbish and show some respect for the groundstaff. The Pakistan players obviously see themselves as far too important.’
Another replied: ‘It’s to do with the whole subcontinent tbh. We’re quite a classist society where people working ‘menial’ jobs are not considered worth the time.’
Gillespie has said the Pakistan coaching job is his biggest challenge yet as he looks to steer the national team out of their nosedive.
The side will face a huge challenge as they play world champions Australia in a one-day series starting on November 4.
Former coach of the side, Australian Micky Arthur, says Pakistan have no shortage of talent.
‘There are some incredible players [on the Pakistan side], but what the team lacks is stability,’ Arthur told Al Jazeera.
‘Stability comes from the top: in team selection, consistency in players’ roles and making sure every player understands his role,’ he explained.
‘The instability within Pakistan cricket creates chaos, and the players ultimately start playing for themselves because they do not know what the next regime has in mind. It breeds mediocrity.’
