Paceman Jason Gillespie wants to make up for lost time by playing in all six Test matches of the Australian summer.

Gillespie understands the magnitude of the task he has set himself but clearly treasures each chance to represent his country after battling one injury setback after another throughout his international cricket career.

"I want to play all the Tests this season," Gillespie told AAP.

"That's going to be a big challenge to do that. Hopefully I can stay fit and my form can be good enough to get selected.

"With my past, I've missed a lot of cricket and I'm trying to make up for lost time, so to speak. I don't want to have any bad games, I want to be very consistent."

Gillespie returned from Australia's victorious tour of England saying he was disappointed his form was not more consistent.

But his Test figures of 19 wickets at 34.32 reflected the fact the 26-year-old South Australian was unlucky on the Ashes tour, often bowling brilliantly for little reward.

He also displayed his ability with the bat, hanging on for a gritty 27 not out at Trent Bridge to help push the Australians back into the match after a first innings collapse.

"I just want to play a big part in victories, obviously with the ball, but if I can contribute with the bat and in the field, that's what I want to do," Gillespie said.

In his first outing since returning from England, Gillespie took 2-14 from eight overs for South Australia in a one-day trial match won by Tasmania in Adelaide last week.

This Friday, he will lead the Redbacks' attack in a day-night ING Cup match against Western Australia in Perth.

And Gillespie said he expected a tough summer for the Australian side against a New Zealand outfit which has recalled allrounder Chris Cairns, paceman Dion Nash and spinner Daniel Vettori from injury.

Not to mention keen rivals South Africa.

"We always have great battles against South Africa and I'm sure this year won't be any different," Gillespie said.

"For New Zealand to have their best players will be a bonus for them but it's also a bonus for us because we want to play against the best they've got.

"I think we're going to have to be on the top of our game to bowl them out because they've got some very good stroke makers and some good batsmen who work the ball around.

"They've got a couple of their big guns back as bowlers so our batters have to be on top of their game."

© 2001 AAP