The recalled Wellington bowler Mark Gillespie says he never gave up on a return to the international cricket stage, despite medical advice to the contrary.
In his first test since late 2009, Gillespie ended with career best figures of five wickets for 59 to help bowl the Proteas out for 253 in their first innings in Hamilton on Friday.
Gillespie says his performance came off the back of a two-year injury struggle where several doctors told him he should stop playing.
But he says his desire to return to the national side kept him going.
The Black Caps bowling mentor Damien Wright says they picked Gillespie because of his ability to take wickets.
