Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie is to join the Kent coaching staff at the start of the season.

The former Yorkshire head coach will join Matt Walker and the first-team squad ahead of the upcoming Specsavers County Championship season which starts on Friday 7 April.

The 41-year-old took more than 800 wickets in a 15-year professional career including 71 Tests and 97 one-day internationals for Australia.

He has coached at Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League as well as winning back-to-back County Championships with Yorkshire in 2014 and 2015.

Gillespie said: “I am really looking forward to joining Kent.

“Obviously I moved back to Adelaide for family reasons last year but the opportunity to assist Kent on a short-term basis was one that I couldn’t resist and works well with my current situation.

“I look forward to helping Matt Walker and Sam Northeast over the next couple of months until I hand over the reigns to Allan Donald.”

He will cover for former South Africa Test paceman Donald, who was appointed assistant coach in January 2017 and is awaiting a visa to work in the UK.

Head coach Matt Walker said: “To get Jason on board is a brilliant coup for us.

“To have an experienced ex-head coach come into our ranks is great for me and the lads.

“His bowling expertise are like-for-like with Allan.”

Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jason to the team.

“He brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach in England and overseas.

“It’s unfortunate that a world-class coach Allan is unable to join us as planned due to bureaucratic barriers but Jason will be a fine addition to the staff.”