Shout out from Dizzy

Dizzy has been our World Kangaroo Day Ambassador since World Kangaroo Day was established. We are so proud to have his support.

Jason Gillespie, born on April 19, 1975, is a significant figure in Australian cricket history as the first acknowledged Aboriginal male to become a Test cricketer, with heritage from the Kamilaroi people through his father's side. As a right-arm fast bowler, he made his international debut in 1996 and went on to become Australia's sixth-highest wicket-taker, claiming 259 wickets in 71 Test matches at an impressive average of 26.13.

While primarily known for his bowling prowess, Gillespie etched his name in cricket history with an extraordinary batting achievement. In his final Test match against Bangladesh in 2006, he scored an unbeaten 201 as a nightwatchman - a record that stands as the highest score by a nightwatchman in international cricket. Throughout his career, he proved to be a reliable support bowler to legendary teammates Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, despite facing numerous injuries that limited his playing time.

Off the field, Gillespie is known for his principled stands, including his commitment to veganism and his criticism of dairy farming and the use of leather balls in cricket. He married Anna McEvoy in 2003 and is a father of five children, including four with his current wife and one from a previous relationship.

After retiring from professional cricket, Gillespie has built a successful coaching career. He notably led Yorkshire to County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015, and has held coaching positions with various teams including the Adelaide Strikers, Sussex, and South Australia. As of 2024, he serves as the head coach of the Pakistan men's team in Test cricket, marking another significant milestone in his cricket journey.