BLACKCAPS rookie was surprised and delighted by his call up to the Champions Trophy squad.
The fast-medium bowler was a stand-out in the 2005/06 State Championship and the recent New Zealand A tour of Australia.
He was included in the 30-man preliminary squad for next month’s competition in India but did not consider himself to be in the reckoning for a call up for the final party, despite his form.
He said: “After the initial squad was announced, I thought of two different squads of 14 and I was in neither, so I didn’t expect it.
“Obviously, it’s something I’ve wanted ever since I was a little fella.“
Gillespie said his winter run out in Queensland and Australia also helped cement a place in the selectors’ thoughts.
“It was great to get over to Australia,” he said. “The quality of the opposition was good and it was just great to get outdoors – a lot better than staying in the winter and the cold.
“I’d like to think that could go on, the Top End Series, just for the strength of the opposition.”
The 26-year-old admitted his first taste of top-level international cricket will be a plunge into the unknown.
“It’ll be my first time in India. I don’t know what to expect, other than its hot. Apparently it’s a great place to go. As far as I’ve heard, the wickets stay low and turn.” “In fact, he felt he thrived on it. The tighter the game, the better he performed. So we feel confident he can make that step up.
Coach John Bracewell was enthusiastic about his new charge.
He said: “He’s shown good form in domestic cricket and also in Australia with the ‘A’ team, when he was the leading bowler.
“He has the self confidence. I think he has portrayed that. Richard Hadlee, who managed him in this year, feels he has the attributes to deal with pressure.
“He can swing the balls both ways and a proponent of death - a strong death bowler, slightly skiddy but with good pace. He can vary, he can new-ball bowl and is a bowler who can bowl three or four overs at the end.
“The teams we’re playing early in the tournament have weaknesses we feel he can exploit and can contribute.”
