Gillespie to return home

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie will return home with the other Test match players - Colin Miller, Michael Slater and Justin Langer - it was announced today.

South Australian fast bowler Gillespie played in all three Tests during the recent series against India, taking 13 wickets with only Glenn McGrath (17) capturing more for Australia.

After the series Jason's physical condition was reviewed, and given the fact he came into the tour following a lengthy lay-off with injury, the tour management felt it was in both his and Australian cricket's best interests for him to return home and rest.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said: "Jason began the tour with little bowling under his belt in the month before we left because of an injury to his left hamstring tendon, something that has not flared up again while we have been in India.

"Once on the trip, he had an injection in his left ankle ahead of the first Test in Mumbai after he experienced some discomfort and it responded well, with the ankle giving him little trouble after that.

"On the fourth day of the third Test in Chennai his left foot landed awkwardly in a foothole and he felt some slight discomfort in that foot afterwards.

"None of these problems would stop him playing and we are delighted that after all the setbacks Jason has had to endure during his career he has now played seven Test matches in a row.

"That figure is a testament not only to his ability but also to his strength of character. However, it was felt that it would be in the best interests of both Jason and Australian cricket if he were to head home now.

"That means he can rest ahead of a potentially gruelling tour of the UK including a maximum of seven one-day internationals and an Ashes series of five Tests," Alcott added.

Jason Gillespie said: "I've pulled up a bit sore after the Test series and the team medical staff are taking a very cautious approach with me given that I came into the tour with very little cricket in January, before we arrived in India.

"I don't believe I've got any serious problems and I could have played, but Errol and Patrick Farhart have decided on a safety first approach to make sure I'm alright for the Ashes tour.

"This means I'm missing more cricket and that's upsetting, particularly as I'm feeling good about my form.

"But there is a positive about this and it's that the powers that be are looking out for my best interests and I'm really grateful for that," said Gillespie.

He added: "Realistically the tour has been a failure as we lost 2-1 in the series.

"As for my personal form, I'm disappointed with the way I batted but there were some positives from my bowling. I felt I bowled pretty well without luck at times, but maybe you make your own luck.

"The bottom line is I'm disappointed we lost the Test series but now my next target is being part of a side that retains the Ashes this winter," he said.

Fellow pace bowler Michael Kasprowicz, originally due to fly home with Langer, Miller and Slater on Saturday, will instead travel with the tour party to Bangalore.

The selectors will decide on whether or not he will be the permanent replacement for Gillespie in the near future.

Michael Kasprowicz said: "Naturally I'm disappointed for Jason who's performed so brilliantly during the Test series.

"At the same time I'm delighted to be retained in the tour party and if the selectors decide I should stay for the rest of the trip I'd love to make a contribution to the one-day series."

That series starts in Bangalore with a day-night match on 25 March. The other matches in the series are at Pune (28 March), Indore (31 March), Vizag (3 April) and Goa (6 April).