ADELAIDE (Australia), Nov 17: Australian Test captain Steve Waugh said on Monday he believed compatriot Jason Gillespie was currently the best bowler in world cricket.

Gillespie will return to first-class cricket for South Australia against Waugh’s New South Wales (NSW) in a Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval from Tuesday after passing a fitness test.

He bowled 12 overs for 1-25 in his comeback in a weekend club match, his first serious outing since a straining a side muscle in last month’s first Test against Zimbabwe in Perth.

Waugh said that from Australia’s point of view, he was pleased to see Gillespie back but, as Blues skipper, he hoped NSW did not see too much of him over the next four days.

“Good on him, he’s a quality bowler, probably the best bowler in the world at the moment, so we certainly respect him,” Waugh told reporters.

“I’m sure he’ll do pretty well.”

The injury against Zimbabwe was the latest in a string of setbacks for Gillespie, who has missed 32 Tests since making his debut for Australia in 1996-97.

His injuries have included knee problems, back spasms, stress fractures, hamstring strains, wrist injuries and muscle tears.

His worst came in 1999 when he broke a leg in a collision with Waugh in Sri Lanka and was sidelined for 14 months.—APP