Arthur Gilligan

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = Eng
name = Arthur Gilligan
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-handed batsman (RHB)
bowling style = Right arm fast medium
tests = 11
test runs = 209
test bat avg = 16.07
test 100s/50s = 0/0
test top score = 39*
test balls = 2404
test wickets = 36
test bowl avg = 29.05
test 5s = 2
test 10s = 1
test best bowling = 6/7
test catches/stumpings = 3/0
FCs = 337
FC runs = 9140
FC bat avg = 20.08
FC 100s/50s = 12/26
FC top score = 144
FC balls = 42650
FC wickets = 868
FC bowl avg = 23.20
FC 5s = 42
FC 10s = 4
FC best bowling = 8/25
FC catches/stumpings = 181/0
debut date = 23 December
debut year = 1922
last date = 4 March
last year = 1925
source = http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/G/GILLIGAN_AER_01000420/

Arthur Edward Robert Gilligan (23 December 1894 in London – 5 September 1976 in Pulborough, Sussex) was an English cricketer who played for Cambridge University, Sussex, Surrey and England.

He captained England on 9 occasions, winning four, losing four and drawing once. His brother Harold Gilligan captained England in four later Test matches, making them the only brothers to have both captained England.

In 1924, he and his county colleague Maurice Tate had great success as England's opening attack against South Africa. Gilligan took 6/7 and Tate 4/12 on his Test debut, as the visitors were dismissed for 30 in just 12.3 overs in the first innings of the First Test, played at Edgbaston. Gilligan could take much credit for Tate's success as well as his own, as in 1922 he had spotted the then off-spinning all-rounder's potential as a fast-medium bowler.

As well as being a useful lower-middle order batsman, good enough to make 12 first-class centuries, at this stage of his career Gilligan was bowling genuinely fast. But in a match during that 1924 season he was hit over the heart when batting. He was badly hurt but carried on playing, and in the second innings made 112 in 90 minutes. Afterwards he was never able to bowl truly fast again, and was reduced to being a change bowler.

Gilligan was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1924, having completed the double the previous season. He took 100 wickets in a season three times and reached 1,000 runs in a season twice.

During World War I he served as a captain with the 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. During World War II he was a physical trainer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. [ [http://www.dulwich.org.uk/OA_Document_1.aspx?id=1:29463&id=1:29454&id=1:29431 Dulwich College - Old Alleynians] ] In the 1930s he was a member of the British Union of Fascists. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/may/18/twenty20domestic.indianpremierleague Will Buckley, Brearley puts MCC on front foot, The Observer, May 18, 2008] ]

After he retired from playing, Gilligan became a popular radio commentator, forging a partnership with renowned Australian commentator Vic Richardson. In 1967 he was President of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

References

* [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/G/GILLIGAN_AER_01000420/ Cricinfo page on Arthur Gilligan]