'If I play, it'll be for keeps' - Mark Gillespie

Mark Gillespie, the rookie New Zealand fast bowler, is optimistic about his abilities to contribute in tight situations during his side's Champions Trophy campaign. Touted as a potential at-the-death bowler, Gillespie has been picked as cover in an injury-prone New Zealand side and has expressed an appetite for a challenge.

"If I play, it'll be for keeps and I'm excited about that. I'd love to get a run," Gillespie, 26, told reporters. "Every outing is a crunch match in this tournament so you've got to be on your game every time you walk out on the park. It's not as if there's a few soft games for blooding a youngster, it's not like that. But I like the challenge; I like the extra buzz and the excitement, and I especially like the thought of playing over here, where it seems that just about everyone is obsessed with the game."

Gillespie earned a call-up based on a decent State Shield showing and a good performance for New Zealand A in the Top End tournament at Darwin. In his first outing in India, he picked up 3 for 37 from seven overs in a warm-up victory against Mumbai yesterday, but remained unsure of whether he would play in New Zealand's first match against South Africa on Friday.

"I've had no indication of what, if any games, I might be considered for," he said. "I haven't given it much thought to be honest; just taking every day as it comes. I don't want to put any extra pressure on myself. If I play, well great, but if I don't I'm still getting a marvellous learning experience."

He also lapped up the Indian atmosphere and support: "It's been pretty crazy; a new experience for me, definitely. They just adore cricket, the people over here. It's amazing, no matter where you go there are crowds following you. I haven't got any previous experience over here so I don't know what's normal. But people are just crazy about the cricket and the Champions Trophy right now".