Gillespie back in action

New Zealand pace bowler Mark Gillespie’s recovery from a strange viral infection is coming along well and he is expected to become available for selection for the team’s third Super Eight match against Ireland early next week.

Gillespie, who somehow caught an infection during the flight to Los Angeles and suffered temporary paralysis in his right shoulder, has had to watch his team’s excellent start to the World Cup campaign from the sidelines while undertaking a slow recovery from the condition.

The Wellingtonian says the symptoms of the condition changed from the early situation of being unable to move his arm but having no pain, to that of regaining strength in his arm but having a considerable amount of pain along with it.

One of New Zealand’s finds of the home summer, the aggressive pace bowler is confident of playing a part in the remainder of the tournament after a pain-free practice session in which he looked to be moving freely.

There is a possibility that Gillespie could return to the side as early as tomorrow’s game against Bangladesh. He believes he is fully fit and says he would jump at the chance to get some overs under his belt if the selectors provided the opportunity.