Jason Gillespie retires

Jason Gillespie, the sixth highest wicket-taker in Australian Test history, has no regrets about retiring after playing for English county side Glamorgan last weekend in his final first-class match.

The 33-year-old pace bowler was given a guard of honor from Warwickshire's team when coming into bat Saturday on the final day of the English domestic season. He later confirmed he had bowled his last ball in first-class cricket.

He will also now play a sponsored beach event in Australia and some amateur club cricket, but will mostly spend more time with his two sons and 13-year-old daughter.

"I can't imagine playing any more — I'm done," Gillespie told The Associated Press. "The time is right, so I am feeling comfortable with it. To know I won't be walking out with my team and bowling with the red ball again makes me sad, but I know it is the right time. I'm happy how it has ended, there's no point having any regrets."

Known for his black, shoulder- length wavy locks and goatee beard but now sporting short gray hair, Gillespie ended his career with 259 wickets from 71 Tests at an average of 26.13 and 613 first-class wickets overall at 26.98.

Although he scored a remarkable 201 not out as a night-watchman against Bangladesh in 2006, his career had peaked earlier as a bowler. He was involved in four Ashes series wins against England, before he was dropped during the 2005 series that England eventually won.

"I was lucky enough to be involved in the winning Ashes squads a few times, which was great. Winning in India (in 2004) for the first time in 35 years was a big thrill and beating Sri Lanka 3-0 over there was a massive series," he said. "Winning Test matches generally is always a highlight and I enjoyed winning the Sheffield Shield with South Australia in 1995-96 because that was a big thing for our state.

Nicknamed "Dizzy" after the famous jazz musician, Gillespie may be finishing up relatively early considering former England internationals Andy Caddick and Mark Ramprakash are still playing at 39. But he isn't interested in spoiling his legacy having become aware that he has lost the fizz that once marked his bowling.

Australia dominated cricket throughout his career and Gillespie, who could move the ball in the air or off the seam at pace, was an integral member of the team that achieved a world record of 16 straight Test match wins from 1999-2001.

"We played well as a unit," he said. "We set the tone with the bat and then bowled sides out. It was a great time.

"Playing cricket with guys like Shane Warne — a legend of the game with over 700 (Test) wickets, and Glenn McGrath, over 500 — these guys are absolute legends. But first and foremost they are my mates, and I can't ask for anything more than to play cricket with my mates."

Gillespie played under three Australia captains who are certain to be considered among the most successful in cricket history — Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and current leader Ricky Ponting.

"They all brought a unique style to the captaincy," Gillespie said. "And I can't really split them, though I always had a soft spot for Mark Taylor only because he was there when I made my first foray into international cricket. He was a very good man manager and really made me feel at ease in international cricket, so I would lean towards him.

"But then Steve Waugh just backed all his players and he gave me tremendous support. He had faith in my ability to do the job, which gave me great confidence.

"Ricky brought his own style to the team. What Ricky has done, and what I am proud of him for, is the way he has been able to be a leader as well as stay one of the boys. The way he has led the side has been nothing short of phenomenal and in time he will go down as one of our very best captains."