TEST CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21988, 12 January 1937, Page 9

TEST CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA

“NOT A GREAT DEAL BETWEEN TEAMS”

MR A. E. R. GILLIGAN VISITS

NEW ZEALAND

«• [THE PRESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, January 11,

Mr Arthur E. R. Gilligan, a former captain of the Sussex County cricket eleven and also captain of the English team in Australia in 1924-25, arrived in Auckland by the ■ Awatea from Sydney, accompanied by Mrs Gilligan. He is paying a visit to his brother, Mr Frank Gilligan, now headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School. Mr Gilligan intends spending about a month in New Zealand, and he will then return to England. He was met on arrival by Mr A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council, and by representatives of the Auckland Cricket Association.

The first question to be asked of the famous cricketer was his opinion about the outcome of the test series between England and Australia. "Well, I am an optimist,” said Mr Gilligan, “and I think England has a wonderful chance of gaining the Ashes. I think our side has a much better batting tail than Australia, and that may make all the difference. So far as 1 have seen of the three tests already decided, Australia has not a batsman. in the later stages of the calibre of. Robins,”

Mr Gilligan said that Bradman was regarded as a definite menace to the Englishmen. He did not perform up to expectations in the first two tests, but in Melbourne his score of 270 was a very important factor in England’s defeat. The margin was 365 runs, so that Bradman’s contribution went a long way towards gaining his side the victory.

Captaincy Praised

“To me there does not appear to be a great deal between the teams,” continued Mr Gilligan. “Both teams seem to be relying at present to a great extent upon three batsmen. For Australia, Bradman, McCabe, and Fingleton, and for England. Hammond, Leyland, and Barnett have stood out. In the fast attack, the advantage lies definitely with England, McCormick, the only fast bowler Australia has produced so far. has broken down, and in any case he is not nearly so fast as Larwood.

“O’Reilly has bowled well on occasions, but I do not think he is- nearly so effective as he was in England in 1934,” said Mr Gilligan. “He still bowls an excellent length, but he does not look nearly so dangerous as he was in our country. Nevertheless, our players do not underrate him and they have to use their wits in playing him. However, as I. see O’Reilly, he is more of a defensive type of bowler than the attacking force he proved himself in England.” Mr Gilligan said that the most pleasing feature of the tests so far was the excellent spirit in which they had been played. ~ It had been a. joy to see the sides striving to gain the upper hand. Speaking of captaincy, Mr Gilligan said he regarded Bradman and Allen as being on the same plane—both were excellent leaders, clever moves were made in the field o.nd the bowling changes were well thought-out. Bradman was thinking from the first ball to the last, and both he and Allen compared very favourably with former captains, Allen was looked upon by Mr Gilligan as being the best captain on and off the field during the present generation. Sutcliffe’s Omission , Mr Gilligan was not inclined to discuss the criticism of the English selection committee, but personally he was sorry that Sutcliffe had not been included. He would have been invaluable as an opening bat with Barnett. The visitors were unfortunate that Wyatt, an ideal opening p’artner for Barnett, had been injured. English county cricket was suffering badly financially, continued Mr Gilligan. However, the counties were largely depending on a liberal return from the test matches in both Australia and England. “Yes, a New Zealand team is always most welcome in England," he added. "I think it is always a good move tp send young players with a sufficient leavening of experienced men on these tours. New Zealand should do well against the counties. The previous sides have always played well as teams, and that is a very important thing. Your next side is assured of a very warm welcome. Personally. I wish them the very best of luck in every shape and’form and I hope the younger men will gain experience which will stand to them for many years to come."