ENGLAND’S TEST PROSPECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1929, Page 7

ENGLAND’S TEST PROSPECTS

INTERVIEW WITH GILLIGAN

WELLINGTON, Dec. 10

“Make no mistake about it, England has never been stronger on thi cricket field than she is to-day. Larwood and Tate are bowling as weli as ever they did, and all the stai players who retained the Ashes f'oi England in Australia last season wil again be at their best when the Australians next visit us.” This optim istic pronouncement was made by All A. H. Gilligan, captain of the M.C.C. team which arrived from Sydney by the Ulimaroa to-day.

“It is very pleasing to hear such aq optimistic report upon English cricket,” remarked the interviewer“We have been told out here that Larwood is done and that Maurict Tate is only a shadow of the great bowler he was.” “Wait until, after the next series ol Tests,” quietly replied the captain ol the English team. “It was not to be expected that the English player: after the strenuous tour in Australia would be able to produce their best form in England, but after the winter’s spell I am convinced you will find that Larwoodand Tate will bowl as well as ever they did. I can tell you that Maurice Tate won match after match for our Sussex team ii August by his magnificent bowling. i]3ut cricket is booming right throughout England at the present time. You cannot meet a single first-class county without bumping into at least one really good Ibowler. I can tell you it will be no easy task to pick the English eleven for the next series of Test matches with Australia. There will be at least twenty first-class players in the running.” The M.C.C. team, he explained, had experienced a run of exceptionally bad luck in Australia. However, all the team, with the exception of Bowley, was now fit and well, and hoped to produce their best form in New Zealand. “Is the team under you as strong as the one which Archie Maelaren brought out in 1923 ”• the English captain was asked.

“I have no hesitation in saying that the present team is much stronger all round,” he replied. “Of course our team will not be at full strength until fjowlev rejoins us. Though the New Zealand public must not expect fire-works all the time, we will do our best to play bright cricket.” Harold Gilligan will prove to be the most popular captain who has ever led an English team through New Zealand. There is nothing of that insularity which distinguished many English captains of the past. There is a frankness about him which simply impels good fellowship. His genial nature seems to say: “We have come all the way out from England to make friends with you.” It is little wonder that he and his brother Arthur are so popular in Sussex. No better ambassador of Empire could have been chosen.