Vegan cricket coach slams dairy sponsor

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie. Photo / Getty

Yorkshire cricket coach Jason Gillespie has had a major dig at his own club sponsors because their products clash with his vegan beliefs.

Aussie Gillespie is anything but sheepish about being a vegan, often using Twitter to express his views.

Yorkshire are sponsored by Wensleydale Creamery, and when asked about a conflict Gillespie said: "Yes, they are a sponsor. But it doesn't mean I agree with what they do."

"It's cruel...I hope one day the dairy industry can be shut down. I think it's disgusting and wrong on so many levels."

He described the worldwide treatment of animals as "speciesism".

"My wife and I often talk about it, because she's vegan as well. I feel like I'm looking through eyes without blinkers on. We treat animals like s**t, we really do - and in my opinion there's no justification for that," he said.

The Daily Mail reported that the dual championship winning coach and former Aussie bowler cites the use of leather cricket balls as something else he reluctantly must live with.

The creamery company replied their milk is from local farms with very high welfare standards.