With a run-up reminiscent of Bob Willis or even Dennis Lillee - albeit without the pace of either - Gillespie has shone in New Zealand domestic cricket as a specialist bowler at the death. In Wellington's 2005-06 season he took 43 wickets at 23.16. The promise he has shown was nearly cut short in 2005 when he was struck below the eye, suffering multiple fractures and a smashed eye socket while batting against Canterbury. He represented New Zealand A in the Top-End series in 2006 and was rewarded with a place in New Zealand's Champions Trophy squad in October 2006 but was not given a chance to play. When he did get his opportunity, in the home series against Sri Lanka, he showed signs that his domestic form could translate to the international arena and his 3 for 39 from ten overs in New Zealand's 189-run loss at Auckland was especially impressive. He followed it up with a good, if at times inconsistent, tri-series in Australia, where he deceived some batsmen with his pace but leaked too many runs on a couple of occasions. A viral infection in his right shoulder restricted him to two wicketless outings at his first World Cup but his promising start was enough to earn him a national contract for 2007-08 and a place at the ICC World Twenty20 where he claimed six wickets and destroyed Kenya with 4 for 7. Yet another injury to Shane Bond handed Gillespie his first crack at Test cricket, and he responded with 5 for 136 in the second Test against South Africa at Centurion.
Will Luke November 2007