KEY POINTS:
ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Mark Gillespie foxed a few observers when he strode on to the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground with a measuring tape before New Zealand's World Cup Super Eights clash against the West Indies last week.
For a moment there was conjecture the Wellington fast bowler was set to resume playing after being laid low by a debilitating viral infection in the shoulder of his bowling arm.
It was a false alarm and Gillespie later explained he was simply assisting his teammates mark out their run-ups.
However, the day is nearing when one of the inspired selections of the New Zealand summer will be measuring out his approach for real.
After enduring a frustrating start to his World Cup campaign, the right armer is now ready to try and muscle his way into a bowling unit clicking along smoothly as New Zealand set their sights on the April 28 final in Barbados.
Originally the 27-year-old feared his Caribbean tan would have long since faded by then, reckoning he'd be back home in contemplating a disastrous end to his first season at international level.
By mysteriously contracting an acute bout of brachial neuritis shortly before he left Auckland on February 28, Gillespie was in danger of accompanying Lou Vincent on an early return flight home from Antigua on March 26.
The previous day was identified as his final chance to prove his ability to throw and bowl well enough to warrant staying with the squad.
Fortunately he survived a session marred by Vincent's broken left wrist and is now awaiting the call-up.
"I'm nearly back to full fitness," said Gillespie, who admitted his stay on the island of St Lucia had been a depressing experience.
"It was pretty tough. I thought things could be over when it wasn't responding and the shoulder was just aching," he said.
Gillespie realised something was awry when his arm was numb during the stopover in Los Angeles as he tried to shampoo his hair.
He was initially prescribed steroids and once brachial neuritis was diagnosed he was put on a course of anti-inflammatories after the numbness was replaced by a dull ache and searing pain.
"I had a dead arm with no pain whatsoever then it completely reversed -- the strength came back but it was sore," he said, still mystified at the root cause of the ailment.
"There is still pain but it was the aching that was the big thing in between throwing and bowling," he said.
"That was the hardest thing to deal with. Now that's gone I can deal with the pain."
It was also no walk in the park to watch his teammates cruise through the group stage and firm as a genuine title contender.
"I'm a terrible watcher," he confessed.
"So hopefully my performances in training will show I'm ready to play."
Gillespie, who has taken 18 wickets at 36.11 this summer since making his debut against Sri Lanka at Napier in December, made one last bid for inclusion in tomorrow's (1.30am Tues NZT) Super Eights clash with Bangladesh by attending the final optional training session today.
If overlooked, he could feature against Ireland in Guyana on April 9.
"I've had no indication of getting a game but I'd like to play one of the last two,' he said.
"To my mind I'm keen, it's just whether they'll need me.
"After those two, we've got some big games (against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia) so it would be nice to have some game time before then."
Still, considering his tour had been in jeopardy a week ago another couple of days on the periphery won't entirely bother him.
"If I wasn't going to play I wouldn't be here. The fact I'm still here gives me hope that I'm going to play."
- NZPA
