BIRMINGHAM, Sept 30: 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 honour from Warwickshire’s team when coming into bat on Saturday on the final day of the English domestic season. He later confirmed he had bowled his last ball in first-class cricket.

Gillespie had already played his last match for his native South Australia having been banned for signing for the the Indian Cricket League (ICL). 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 said. “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, yeah, there is a tinge of sadness, 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 nightwatchman against Bangladesh in 2006 for just his third Test score of 50 or more in 93 innings, his career peaked earlier. He was involved in four Ashes series wins against England, before he was dropped during the 2005 series that England eventually won.—AP