Hohns says Gillespie has time for a comeback

Jason Gillespie has been full of energy during his return to South Australia © Getty Images Enlarge

Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, has given Jason Gillespie hope that his international career did not finish with the ill-fated Ashes tour. Gillespie was dropped after taking only three wickets in the Test series, but in his return to the domestic scene he has captured 21 Pura Cup victims at 21.52, although he has struggled for impact with seven at 50.85 in the ING Cup.

Hohns, who was in Adelaide for South Australia's seven-wicket one-day win over Victoria, said Gillespie still had a lot to offer. "It's not too late, he's only 30," Hohns told AAP. "It's up to him. He's got to be bowling how he was before the Ashes and we've got to make a judgment on that."

While Gillespie picked up two early wickets yesterday, he was upstaged by Shaun Tait's late-innings burst that earned him 4 for 32 from 8.5 overs. Showing his recovery from a shoulder operation, Tait surprised Hohns with his pace.

"It's good to see him playing again and I must admit he's probably bowling a little quicker than I thought he would," Hohns said. "We've chosen him before so the ideal for him is to get back playing cricket, get some performances on the board and then it's over to us, provided the opportunity is there."

Australia have trialled a string of fast bowlers in one-day matches this season as they attempt to find back-up options in the lead-up to the World Cup. Stuart Clark, Mick Lewis, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Dorey have all made their limited-overs debuts since the Super Series in October.