Gillespie considers future with no Redbacks contract

Jason Gillespie could become a victim of South Australia's woeful season and salary-cap problems, revealing he does not have a contract for next season. Gillespie said he would be keen to continue his career interstate if the Redbacks failed to secure his services.

Gillespie has been far from South Australia's worst performer in 2006-07, with 26 Pura Cup wickets at 29.34. The Redbacks have had trouble with their veterans this season, dumping Greg Blewett from the one-day side in December and axing Matthew Elliott from the Pura Cup team for their most recent match.

"I don't know where I stand with South Australia, whether I'm required for next year," Gillespie told Adelaide's Sunday Mail. "I guess I'll find out pretty soon. I'm still off contract so I guess I'm a free agent. You never know, maybe there's a state keen on me and I'll weigh up that option.

"Obviously the Redbacks are my first option and I'd like to sign a two-year deal with them, but if that doesn't happen then I'll have to look elsewhere. In recent years, South Australia have signed some guys to long contracts and they haven't performed, so maybe they are a bit concerned about my longevity."

Gillespie was dropped from the Australia Test team after the 2005 Ashes loss but returned for two Tests in Bangladesh last April. He earned the Man-of-the-Series award with eight wickets and a stunning 201 as night-watchman.

However, he was ditched straight afterwards and believes he has virtually no chance of earning another recall. "I can't see myself getting another Cricket Australia contract," he said. "I believe they only gave me one last year because of what happened in Bangladesh.

"My chance of playing for Australia again is about as remote as you can get. The selectors have played their card, they have lost faith in me, they don't want me around and that's their call. I'm not saying I deserved to be in the World Cup but it's a bitter pill to swallow when you get man of the match in your last two Tests and you aren't in the picture."