CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1924, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLISHMEN FOR AUSTRALIA. / FAREWELL MESSAGES. CAPTAIN’S HIGH HOPES. By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright Received Sept. 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 18. A. IT. Gilligan, captain of the English cricket team for Australia, interviewed on the platform of Victoria station, said: “We are going away with high hopes. Much depends on the success of the medium pace bowlers, but I believe they will come through all right. I believe our side is fully representative of the strength of English cricket, and £ can think of no one left behind who we shall miss. If we lose it will be because we are not good enough; there will be no bother of excuse. “I think the eight-ball over will not affect our bowlers under hot sunshine. We must conform to Australian conditions. I have no trepidation about ‘barrackers,’ as I know from Douglas that they bear no malice. If a man cannot stand a bit of barracking he ought not to play cricket.’’ ,1. B. Hobbs said: “I am sure we will get a lot of runs and I am very hopeful, if only the bowlers shake down quickly to the conditions of Australian wickets.” J. W. H. T. Douglas said: “I am going to do all I can for Gilligan. Ho is going to a country of good sportsmen and warm-hearted, generous people. 1 am sure he will be very popular. Armstrong has expressed the opinion that Tate will not be a great success, but gieat judge as Armstrong is, I beg to differ. I have high hopes of our medium-paced bowlers coming off. Gilligan, if properly nursed, will succeed too ’’

London, Sept. 18. Gilligan and the remainder of the Marylebone team have departed en route to join the Ormonde at Marseilles. A large gathering of cricket enthusiasts farewelled them. Responding to the expressions of hope that they would bring back the ashes, Gilligan jocularly remarked: “I believe we s^iall; don’t worry about it. I have a new pipe for the purpose.”