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Back problem keeps Gillespie sidelined

Mark Gillespie's ongoing back injury will keep him out of Wellington's opening four-day match of the season and there remains doubt over when he will be fit to return

Cricinfo staff
16-Oct-2009
Wellington are uncertain when Mark Gillespie will be available  •  Getty Images

Wellington are uncertain when Mark Gillespie will be available  •  Getty Images

Mark Gillespie's ongoing back injury will keep him out of Wellington's opening four-day match of the season and there remains doubt over when he will be fit to return. Gillespie, 29, hasn't played since January and is embarking on the 2009-10 summer without a New Zealand Cricket contract.
He has not attempted to bowl since winter training with his North City club and will miss the season opener against Canterbury starting on November 10. Gavin Larsen, the Cricket Wellington chief executive officer, said he was uncertain what the immediate future held for Gillespie.
"It has been a long time now that he's been out," Larsen told the Dominion Post. "It's frustrating for all of us that we've got a former Black Cap and one of our strike bowlers currently laid low. He's with the squad at the moment and contributing, but I feel for him. We just need to sit tight, I guess, and wait and see how things unfold."
Larsen said it was too early to predict whether Gillespie's injury could be career-threatening. "I wouldn't go that far yet," Larsen said. "I spoke to Mark a few days ago and he was still pretty upbeat and positive. He's disappointed he's having to watch the boys train, of course, but we've just got to let nature take its course here."