November 12 Tuesday 2002
Gillespie to take enforced rest before 2nd Test

ADELAIDE: Australia's injury-prone paceman Jason Gillespie will take an enforced rest from cricket after the first Ashes Test. Unlike his Australian teammates, Gillespie won't take advantage of a schedule change which allows the Test squad to play in domestic matches starting on Thursday.

Instead, Gillespie will be rested at the request of national selectors while his South Australian teammates play in a match with New South Wales in Sydney. 

Gillespie suffered a torn calf muscle in Sri Lanka last month and only proved his fitness for the Ashes opener the day before the Brisbane Test against England. 

The fast bowler only bowled three overs for Australia on the second day of the Ashes Test after complaining of tightness in the troublesome calf. 

But he returned to play a significant role in Australia's crushing 384-run victory completed within four days. Gillespie was appreciative of an extra day's rest but said on Monday there were no lingering problems with the calf. "It had nothing to do with the area that I actually tore in Colombo but it felt a little bit sore," Gillespie said here on his return from Brisbane.

"We checked it out, everything was fine and I came out and bowled the next day. I have pulled up really well, no problems." The second Test gets underway at Adelaide Oval on November 21.