Gillespie close to going home

New Zealand seam bowler Mark Gillespie was close to returning home after a viral infection has kept him out of all WC games including warm-ups to date.

The problem surfaced during the Black Caps flight to Los Angeles where they had a stop-over.

Gillespie told reporters during Sunday’s training session that “during our stop over in LA airport, I was having a shower just to freshen up and trying to shampoo my hair and my arm just wouldn’t respond really.”

Gillespie went onto say “I was contemplating maybe going home, but it’s improved with steroids so I’m really positive about things.”

“It’s nearing 100%. It’s still a little bit dodgy but I’m bowling again and today I’ll be throwing, so that’s the big thing, to see how that goes.”

“Luckily we’ve got two games against lesser opponents, so it’s not like it’s the World Cup final in two days time.”

Gillespie made his debut for the Black Caps in December 2006 and has since played 15 one-day internationals for a return of 18 wickets at 36.11.