| Nicknamed "Dizzy" on account of his surname-a name | | | | greats-although Gillespie was in the shadow of his |
| used by Jazz great, Dizzy Gillespie-Jason Gillespie was | | | | new-ball partner, Glenn McGrath. With the bat, Jason |
| a standout fast bowler and part of the | | | | made some handy contributions in the lower order, |
| record-breaking Australian outfit of the late 90s and | | | | to accumulate 1218 runs at an average of 18.73. 201 |
| early 21st century. Gillespie also had the distinction of | | | | of those runs came in one innings-his one and only |
| being the first descendant of Australian aborigines to | | | | Test century-against Bangladesh. Surprisingly, that |
| represent Australia in Test cricket. According to | | | | was Gillespie's last Test match. |
| Cricinfo.com, Jason is the great-grandson of a | | | | Gillespie's ODI career was just a decorated. From 97 |
| Kamilaroi warrior. | | | | ODIs, the tall fast bowler took 142 wickets for |
| Born in New South Wales, Sydney on April 19, 1975, | | | | Australia, proving himself a match winner in the short |
| Gillespie made his First Class debut for South Australia | | | | form of the game as well. Although Gillespie was a |
| in the 1994.1995 season. Although he was born in | | | | strong performer for Australia, he did not play more |
| NSW, Gillespie never played officially for them in the | | | | matches because he was regularly plagued by a |
| State championship. The tall, right handed batsman | | | | variety of injuries that restricted his appearances for |
| and bowler made his mark almost immediately, | | | | Australia. |
| earning his debut for Australia against Sri Lanka in | | | | Jason's talent saw him play for teams like Yorkshire |
| August 1996. Later in 1996, he made his Test debut | | | | and Glamorgan on the English County circuit. When he |
| against the West Indies, where he took two lower | | | | retired from First Class cricket in 2008, Gillespie |
| order wickets in the first innings. | | | | played cricket with the Ahmedabad Rockets of the |
| Gillespie went on to play 71 Tests for Australia | | | | rebel Indian Cricket League. He played his last Test |
| between 1996 and 2006 and experienced success | | | | match when he was only 31 and departed from First |
| with the ball-and even the bat. Gillespie's nagging | | | | Class cricket at age 33. "Dizzy" remains in the bracket |
| deliveries and movement off the pitch earned him | | | | of Australia most successful fast bowlers of all |
| 269 Test wickets at an average of 26.13. His strike | | | | time-with the likes of Thompson, Lillee and McGrath. |
| rate of 54.9 is right up there with all the fast bowling | | | | |