Mark Gillespie

Mark Gillespie Biography

Mark Gillespie is a former New Zealand cricketer, born on 17^th October 1979 in Wanganui. Mark was a frontline right-arm fast medium bowler and batted right handed down the order.

Background

Mark Gillespie had a run-up which reminded viewers of Bob Willis or Dennis Lillee but did not have the pace of either.

He first brought himself to the notice of the selectors when he took 43 wickets at an average of 23.16 for Wellington in the 2005-06 season.

Gillespie was selected in the New Zealand A squad for the Top-End series in 2006. His performances resulted in a berth in the New Zealand squad for the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy held in India but he failed to get a match.

Debut

Gillespie finally represented New Zealand in a T20I against Sri Lanka at Napier in 2006 but did not chance to bowl due to New Zealand’s poor performance with the bat.

Gillespie made his ODI debut in the corresponding ODI series at the same stadium and returned with figures of 0/64. His best performance of the series came in the Auckland ODI where he took 3/39.

Gillespie made his Test debut a year later in 2007 against South Africa in Centurion. He took 5/136 as New Zealand lost the game by an innings. After the five-wicket haul in his debut, Gillespie took 4/79 in his second Test match against England at his home ground.

Rise to Glory

Gillespie’s most superlative bowling performance came in a group stage match during the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. He took 4/7 in 2.5 overs against Kenya at Durban, leaving the Kenyan batsmen completely at seas.

In 2009, Mark Gillespie took 4/58 against West Indies in a rain affected ODI match at Napier.

After suffering a series of injuries, Gillespie came back to the New Zealand team and celebrated his comeback by taking 5/59 against South Africa at Hamilton in 2012.

He followed it up with 6/113 in the next Test match at Wellington. It turned out to be his final Test match and also his final performance on the international scene unfortunately.

Low Points

Gillespie suffered one of the lowest points of his career early on when he suffered multiple fractures and a smashed eye socket when he was struck below the eye while batting against Canterbury in 2005. The injury delayed his international debut just when he was having his best domestic season.

Gillespie has suffered from inconsistent form and injuries throughout his career. His record in the limited overs formats highlights his inconsistent performances.

Injuries largely shortened his Test career which has an impressive look to it as he has three five-wicket hauls in the 5 matches he played.