 His Test selection came after taking 13 wickets in the 1985–86 One Day International World Series Cup, although he had only played two first class games in the preceding two seasons.Gillespie took one wicket for 79, which was not enough to keep his place, and after three wickets at a bowling average just above 60 in the 1985–86 home series against Australia he was dropped.He missed the 1987 World Cup, but returned for the World Series Cup following the tournament, where he played all eight group stage matches and took seven wickets - before he was replaced by Richard Hadlee for the final series.