Wednesday, April 19 2006 15:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chittagong (Bangladesh): Australian tailender Jason Gillespie stunned both himself and the cricket world on Wednesday (Apr 19, 2006) by scoring an unbeaten 201 in the second Test against Bangladesh here.

"I never expected it in my wildest dreams. So it's pretty surreal, pretty bizarre actually," said the fast bowler, who celebrated his 31st birthday with one of the most astonishing Test knocks ever seen.

"Nothing's really changed. I suppose it will sink in over the next couple of days but I can't believe I'm talking about my batting. That's what I can't believe."

Gillespie had never before scored a century in 129 first-class matches over a dozen years. He had two fifties in 70 Tests prior to the one in Chittagong with a best of 54 not out. The double century came after Gillespie had rattled Bangladesh at the start of the match with three wickets for 11 runs in five overs which saw the hosts bundled out for 197.

One of only 14 cricketers in Test history

He is now one of only 14 cricketers in Test history - a list that includes legendary all-rounders Garfield Sobers, Ian Botham and Imran Khan - to have taken 200 Test wickets and also scored a century.

Gillespie is only the fifth nightwatchman to get into three figures, easily surpassing the previous record of 105 by fellow Australian Tony Mann against India in Perth in 1977.

In fact, Gillespie made the trip to Bangladesh only because Shaun Tait and Michael Kasprowicz were injured on the preceding tour of South Africa.