Jason Gillespie
A fast bowler who successfully harnessed the combination of accuracy and fearsome pace almost immediately upon first appearing in state ranks for South Australia late in the 1995-96 season, Jason ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie was earmarked for bigger things from very early in his first-class career.
In 1996 he earned his first selection for Australia as part of the World Cup squad in 1996, making his Australian debut later that year in the Titan Cup in India.
Back at home, he earned his first Test selection against the West Indies in the 1996-97 season, the start of a stellar career which has seen him play 71* Test matches (taking 259 wickets) and 97* One Day Internationals (142 wickets).
In fact, Jason is one of only a handful of Australian players to have taken more than 250 Test wickets, and in partnership with Glenn McGrath formed Australia's most statistically successful opening bowling pair ever.
Jason has battled against several injuries throughout his career, however his tenacity and drive to be one of Australia’s top cricketers saw him keep returning to fitness and continue to be selected for Australia.
Ironically it is with the bat that Jason had one of his most memorable moments - playing against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2006. Coming in as nightwatchman, he batted for 574 minutes and 425 balls, scoring his maiden Test century, a magnificent unbeaten 201 that was easily the highest score by a nightwatchman.
The great-grandson of a Kamilaroi warrior, Jason occupies a significant niche in Australian history as the first acknowledged Aboriginal Test cricketer. Jason lives in Adelaide with his wife Anna and son Jackson.
Did you know?
Dizzy’s nickname is after the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie
Jason has his own clothing label – DZ9
Jason cut off his trademark mullet in 2006
(* match statistics as at October 2007)