Gillespie relishes Yorkshire role

By Scott Heinrich

Gillespie took 40 wickets for South Australia in the Pura Cup

In the eyes of many England supporters, Jason Gillespie may be washed up.

But in the eyes of Yorkshire, one of the great pacemen of the modern era is coming to Headingley this season - and he's in a confident mood.

The humiliation of Gillespie's three wickets for 300 runs in last year's Ashes is now forgotten.

His recall by Australia this month brought a man of the series award in Bangladesh.

He took 5-65 in the opening Test then became the first ever night-watchman to hit a double century.

Then he hopped on the plane to Leeds and although he was too weary to make his debut in Sunday's C&G Trophy match, he is eyeing a big season.

"I'll be playing for Yorkshire to do one thing - take lots of wickets. And I will take wickets," he told BBC Sport.

"I've bowled well all season domestically for South Australia and I know I can do that sort of job in England.

"I've got 250-plus Test wickets and I know I'm good enough to play at the highest level. You don't lose your skills overnight."

I was disappointed with my personal form and that we lost the Ashes, but it was never the end of the world Jason Gillespie

The great grandson of an Aboriginal warrior, Gillespie built his fearsome reputation on menacing pace and a demonic glare.

But his transformation in the 2005 Ashes was extraordinary. Out was the short hair and intimidation of previous series, in was the mullet and a seemingly fixed look of bewilderment as things went from bad to worse.

Blame for Australia's demise was apportioned partly to Gillespie, and to the selectors for persisting with him for three Tests, but the player carries no scars.

"I was disappointed with my personal form and that we lost the Ashes, but it was never the end of the world," said Gillespie, who with 256 wickets from 70 Tests feels he has little left to prove.

"It wasn't my day in England and that's the way it panned out, but I don't think about it any more."

Unlike Andy Bichel, who took a verbal swipe at Australian selectors after his axing in 2004, Gillespie returned home determined to let his cricket do the talking.

I've been flattered by the number of county offers I've had in the past but I've always had to knock them down Jason Gillespie

A haul of 40 wickets was the fourth-highest in the Pura Cup, while his average of 21.17 was the best of anyone in the top two dozen wicket-takers.

Most significantly, the injuries which have plagued him throughout his career are nowhere to be seen.

"The ball came out well the whole season, so I was rapt with how things went," Gillespie said.

"I was getting a lot of movement in the air and off the seam, and that's always a good sign.

"There was talk after England that I'd lost my pace, which was ridiculous. I'm bowling as fast now as in 2001.

"There were technical things like my follow through which were an issue, but I rectified them when I got back to Adelaide. And sure enough the ball was swinging and I was taking wickets again."

Everything looked in place for a Test recall, particularly with Glenn McGrath opting out of the South Africa tour to be with his ill wife.

Gillespie became the first Test night-watchman to hit a double century

It did not happen in South Africa but Gillespie was recalled for the trip to Bangladesh.

Gillespie hopes he will be in the reckoning for the Ashes later this year.

It is rare for an internationally renowned player with his experience to have never played county cricket, but though offers have always been forthcoming the timing was never right.

Until now.

Gillespie hails 'fairytale' double century

"I've been flattered by the number of offers I've had in the past but I've always had to knock them down," said Gillespie, whose Test-best figures of 7-37 came at Headingley in 1997.

"It's right for me this year and I liked the thought of playing at Yorkshire with my good mate [and state team-mate] Darren Lehmann.

"I know a few others there, including the captain Craig White, and I enjoy playing at Headingley. I know I will take wickets there if I bowl well."

Coach David Byas has said he expects Gillespie to be "fired up" for Yorkshire's return to the Championship's top flight, and it seems he has little to worry about on that score.

"My goal is to enjoy cricket and be part of a successful Yorkshire team," Gillespie said.

"They are a well-run club with fine players and I want to do my bit towards winning something with them."