JASON GILLESPIE is eager to repay the faith shown in him by Sussex after agreeing a long-term contract extension.

The Argus revealed in early September that preliminary talks had begun and it was confirmed yesterday Sussex’s head coach had agreed a further two years on his deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

The former Australia pace bowler, who guided Yorkshire to County Championship title triumphs in 2014 and 2015, hopes the move can help him plot a path to success in all formats for Sussex.

Gillespie told The Argus: “I am really pleased. I’m really enjoying my time at Sussex so for the club to have discussions about me staying on longer than my original contract is really pleasing.

“I suppose it’s a little show of faith from them, and I certainly want to repay the faith the club have shown in myself, so I am very excited.”

He added: “It’s great that the club feel that strongly and hold me in that regard.

“When it comes to contracts, to have that support it allows you to make decisions and you can avoid short term decision-making.

“With regards to our players we can have some long term thinking and that’s certainly something I am big on.”

Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew added: “There is going to be a lot of change in cricket over the next couple of years and we wanted some continuity through this period.

“We still have a lot of work to do to improve the men’s side and we were disappointed not to achieve promotion to division one of the County Championship this season. It is where the club aspires to be.

“We have been more consistent in our performances in T20 and 50-over cricket in the last couple of years but need to find that consistency in Championship cricket as well.

“Dizzy and his coaching team will be working hard to move the club forward and we are delighted he has chosen to help us on this journey.”