Marist Cricket Club master blaster Shawn Gillies appointed WA Country XI coach

Aside from a stellar record as a player, Marist Cricket Club’s Shawn Gillies has become one of WA country cricket’s brightest minds. So much so, WA Country Cricket elected to appoint him coach of the men’s country XI team, which will compete at the Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships in New South Wales in January. Gillies, who was born in Jamaica, has worked hard over the past few years at Marist, where he has helped foster a cohesive club culture and delivered first grade premiership success. But this role, is very special to him. “I think it’s a big challenge, but the challenge excites me a lot, in terms of being able to work with players who are not necessarily in the South West,” Gillies said. “Picking a side to go away to a tournament across the other side of the country and hopefully bringing back a trophy is also a massive challenge. “As well as the opportunity to develop some of the colts players who are coming through. “This was something which particularly attracted me to the role — being able to bring some of those players through that may not want to go to Perth, as they may choose to work or study in the country. “We can give them another outlet to showcase their skills and possibly get a foot in the door somewhere in the upper levels of WA cricket.” Gillies famously burst on to the first class cricket scene as a player for the Western Warriors back in 2005, when he snared 3-41 against South Africa during a tour match, removing reputable Test trio AB De Villiers, Ashwell Prince and Jacques Rudolph. Two of these wickets fell during his first over, which resulted in Gillies becoming the first WA player in 17 seasons to achieve the feat.