Jason Gillespie has opted not to join the new Indian Premier League

Jason Gillespie should be available to play for Glamorgan from the start of the season after opting not to play in the Indian Premier League.

It had been thought that the Australia strike bowler would not be available before the Welsh county began their Twenty20 Cup campaign in June.

But Gillespie, who has played 71 Tests, could now arrive in Wales by April.

The 32-year-old is one of several Australians to decide against joining the new multi-million pound tournament.

Gillespie's compatriots Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson have also opted out of being part of the player auction on Wednesday that will help finalise the IPL teams.

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Glamorgan cricket manager Matthew Maynard had decided not to sign another overseas player to temporarily fill the roster once it was thought that Gillespie's arrival would be delayed.

But now the Dragons are likely to have full use of a player who is Australia's sixth highest wicket-taker, with 259 victims, and also boasts a useful Test batting average of 18.73 runs.

"We're hoping for Jason as soon as possible but we've got to have a chat with him first," Maynard told BBC Wales from a training camp in India, where he is involved in a specialised practice venture with most of the county's batsmen.

The camp has also seen Gareth Rees break his thumb during a fielding session, but it is hoped the opening batsman will be fit for the start of the season.

Gillespie is Glamorgan's fourth signing of the winter following batsman Matthew Wood, bowler Adam Shantry and England all-rounder Jamie Dalrymple to Wales.

The former Yorkshire favourite has been persuaded to join a county in transition following one of Glamorgan's worst ever seasons in the 2007 campaign.

Last year they won just twice in all competitions and finished bottom of both the County Championship and NatWest Pro40 league.