RYAN Sidebottom has hailed Jason Gillespie’s impact on Yorkshire, saying “he’s going to be a huge miss”.

The popular Australian coach takes charge of his 80th, and last, Specsavers County Championship match today when the White Rose face Middlesex at Lord’s in their title showdown.

A win could see Yorkshire claim an historic third successive four-day crown, making it the perfect way to cap off a glorious five-year reign.

“Dizzy’s going to be a huge miss,” said the veteran left-arm seam bowler, who had his new one-year contract with the club confirmed yesterday.

“Dizzy’s that typical Australian, you know ‘play hard, play honest and go out there and give it your best’.

“You look at our performances over the last three to four years, we’ve done that.

“We’ve haven’t lost many and have been right in the mix.

“We’re second at the minute having played pretty well but not at our best. We still have a chance of winning the Championship.

“It would be great to send him out on a high, and all the lads are desperate to do that after what’s he done for us. He’s got great man management skills, and he’s all for the players.”

Even if Yorkshire fail to win the title this week, Sidebottom insists Gillespie’s spell in charge will not be tainted.

“He leaves the club in great condition whatever happens this week,” he said. “We’re in a good position, and we’ve done well.

“The last five years have been amazing, and he will be a tough act to follow.

“We’ve got better and better, particularly in one-day cricket this year, and whoever comes in has got to push us on again.”

Sidebottom, 38-years-old, has been exceptional during Gillespie’s time in charge.

He has taken 192 wickets in 55 Championship matches since the start of the 2012 campaign at an average of just 20.83.

His overall career average in Championship cricket stands at 23.63, with 617 wickets in 184 matches since his debut in 1997.

“I’ve said it before. Dizzy came over to me about three or four years ago and gave me a sheet with a lot of bowlers on there and their first-class wickets tallies,” said Sidebottom.

“There was the likes of Mark Ealham (Sidebottom’s former colleague at Notts), Shaun Pollock and himself on there. He said ‘there you go, tick them off’.

“That was quite inspirational.

“He’s just very chilled out. He allows me to go out there and do my business.

“He’s been there and done it as a bowler and knows what you go through.

“When I’m out there, I try to give it everything, and he has allowed me to have a bit more rest. He has been fantastic for me and this club.”

Sidebottom is ahead of the three names he mentioned on his list with 736 first-class career wickets, a tally he is confident of adding significantly to next year.

He added: “For me, the challenge is to perform to the best of my ability once again - irrespective of what has happened in the past or indeed this week.

“It’s about delivering for the team on a number of levels and helping this club challenge for trophies.”