Gros Islet: New Zealand fast bowler Mark Gillespie almost booked a flight home after a viral infection left him an early bystander at the World Cup.

Gillespie’s bowling arm became numb during his journey to the West Indies earlier this month following a rare reaction to a throat virus. “I was contemplating to go home, but it’s improved with steroids so I’m really positive about things,” Gillespie said during his team’s training session on Saturday.

He explained how the problem first emerged. “During our stop over in LA airport, I was having a shower just to freshen up and trying to shampoo my hair and my arm just wouldn’t respond really.

The 27-year-old, who made his ODI debut in December 2006, has had to sit out two warm up games in the Caribbean as well as New Zealand’s six-wicket win over England in the group C clash on Friday.

Having resumed light training, he is now hopeful of playing some part in the tournament.

“It’s nearing 100 per cent. It’s still a little bit dodgy but I’m bowling again and today I’ll be throwing, so that’s the big thing, to see how that goes,” said Gillespie.

“It’s so important in a one-day game. You can’t hide in the field if you can’t throw, so that’ll be the telling thing.