Bowlers Wouldn't Have Stifled “Old Masters”

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 19

Bowlers Wouldn't Have Stifled “Old Masters”

(Neto Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. “Perhaps we haven’t quite got the stars, but cricket today is at a pretty good level,” said the former English cricket captain, Mr A. E. R. Gilligan, yesterday.

Mr Gilligan, who led the M.C.C. on a tour of Australia in 1924-25, is spending 10 days visiting relatives in New Zealand.

A well-known cricket commentator, he has been on four Australian tours. He and his wife flew to Wellington after seeing the last two tests in Australia.

“I saw the test in Sydney.] and the victory was well-de-j served,” he said. Asked whether today’s style of cricket, with bowlers bowling to tightly-set fields, would have affected the “old masters,” Mr Gilligan said: “Bradman and Hobbs wouldn’t be stifled by the

bowling. They were good enough batsmen to play any bowling on any wicket.” Mr Gilligan said that although there weren’t the stars, there were some very good players. “R. W. Barber is a greatly improved player. His innings of 185 was a beautiful one.” “Best Prospect” He was very impressed with K. D. Walters.

“He is a very fine player. The Australians have a real find. He is a good howler, and a beautiful field. “I only wish England had him. “He is the best prospect I’ve seen for years.” Mr Gilligan saw the New Zealand team in action in England on the last tour, and he was “most struck” with

the Palmerston North youngster, V. Pollard. “He’s got the temperament for big cricket,” he said. “He played a fine innings at Lords.” New Zealand’s lack of success in international cricket was explained by Mr Gilligan. “You don’t get enough cricket,” he said. “It tends to rei fleet on the standard. I’m not decrying the standard, but

with the lack of big matches, you just don’t get the experience.” He would not comment on the forthcoming matches in New Zealand against the M.C.C. “It is most dangerous to forecast cricket,” he said. “It’s too much trouble eating your words afterwards ”