CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 12

CRICKET.

GILLIGAN'S TEAM. ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME HOME. CAIU—MtIKS *»socuno*—<OPT»lOKT.) U3*tXlUlX iMD X.z. CABta AISOCUTIOK.) LONDON, April 19. Scenes unequalled in the memory of tho oldest cricket enthusiasts marked the arrival of Gillig4na team at Victoria Station at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Tho fact that the Duke and Duchesa of York were on tho same train accounted for tho throng of .40,000 pecjilo who swarmwl everywhere, even the roof? of the offices and signal stairways, and over Cowed into ths bus square cuWide. _ Having given the Duke And Duchess of York a Youaine welcome, the crowd flocked in search of the cricketerj, who were in a rear carriage which had not reached tho Customs barrier. .The cricketers were thus left at the mercy of a seething crowd of admirers. The police hid a very stiff battle to keep tho crowds outside the iron Mrriers, agaimt which several women fainted. There wi3 some hissing, when the "police attempted to force a passage way for motor-Mrs, hut 'good humour triumphed. The situation was 3-elieved by**the appearance of the pi ay era' cars, each of which was greeted .with deafening «"heers. Gilligan wan the first to appear. A sloßtorian voice chafflngly shouted "Thinks for the lovely winter you gave us." Gilligan retorted": "Yes, the summfr out there was just perfect." Someone called: ""What about the Ashes?" Gilligan pleaded: "Don't mention them, or I might become rude, but I think \t3 will lift them in 1926." Gilligan, in rv special intsrview with the Australian Press Association, said: "Tell Australian? wc are' gfod to be home, bpt we will never forget their kindness add sportinese. It was all' wonderful." Afked "What about Gilligan ea'd: "Well, as this ;e fcr Australia. I can only say wait and sec, but we are pwinj to have some great gflnies. I hope they will send Collir.s as Oaptain." Asked what about. Grimmett. he shrugged his shoulders and ea<d: ''Tell them to leayo Grimmett behind. T think Ponsford will do well here, but Taylor is the batsman that. I liked. He is beautiful." Gilligan scorns the poss b:lity of Gregory not accompanying the Australian te«im in 3926. He says: "I simply refuse to believe Tate, who was sihgled cut for a special ovation, as ho fought hjs way to the train for Brighton, said: "I am sure Grimmett will do a lot bf damage in 1926." Hobbs remarked: "Australia has no new fast b>wlers, but ha* a few. good young bitffihen, though no star?." He thinks England 33 pure to win the Aslies in 192(5, and eaid he thought it-would bo inadness to exclude Bardslfey from the Australian team. He would be as good as ever on English wickets. ~ , _ . , Mr Toone picked out Rymill and Pntchard as -the finest (incoming batsmen in AusBoth should be included in the 1926 team. The iittecdir.ces atid the taking* had been a tribute, .but the Englishmen 1 ® greatest joy vms that they had made thousands of frieiids and ho enemies. The "Daily Herild," in an editorial, eaya it does not see why, owing to bad luck with tlie toss, he should flirt with the idea of abolishing it except for the first and the: last Tests. The suggestion threatens an integral part of the game." like most expedients for brightening cricket and evening the chance. Gilligin's plan la open to • th© criticisju tint ciick6t is s-U* right bo long as. the men play to win and accept the luck of the game philosophically. Gilligan, in (in interview at Marseilles, said that, while tho eight-ball over made no difference to the batsmen and fielders, it was too fatiguing for the bowlers,.especially the fast bowlirs. Though he deplored the luek of tho' toss, he Baw no other method adoptiiMe iii ordinary cricket, but as regard* Test matches he wis of opinion th<j,t the spin of tits coin might be used for the first and last games, while the cboio# of the innings in fhe intervening SWf could alternately be given to each side. The playing out of every Test had bejs_ihe greatest strain. A hotter way would be to have a time 'imit on the first matchoß and play out the final game.

GILUGAN ON GRIMMETT. (BT CABLS —TRESS ASSOCIATION —COfTaiOHT.) (ACBT&AtIAN AND X.Z! CAiLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received April 20th, 7.15 p.m.} LONDON, April 10. Gilligan, in an interview with the "Daily Chronicle," said: Gtimmett admittedly i» 4, fine bowler. Ho Sent down fewer lobseone* th&n any other- Australian, but much of Ilia aucccsa agftinst our t«am wa-s due to the fact that our batsmen knew nothing about him.