CRICKET COMMENT.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 331, 12 January 1937, Page 6

CRICKET COMMENT.

CAPTAIN

Little Between Sides In * Present Tests. Pbess Association —Copyright, k Auckland, January IL opinion that there is very little the English and Australian sideshow contesting the Test series in Australia was expressed to-day by Mr. E. R. Gilligan, former captain of Eiftland, who arrived in the Awatea <* a visit to New Zealand. He saw tJfee matches at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. expressed the view that the Zealand team, provided it is a blending of promising young players %rith experienced older ones, shoufl r A<FWell on its tour of England this year, especially against the counties. The team could be assured of a warm welcome, so popular were the two previous teams from New Zealand. Regarding Bradman, Mr. Gilligan expressed the c; inion that he was a menace so far to The great Australian did not perform up to expectations in the first two Tests, but in Meibom n his score of 270 was a very important factor in England s defeat. Th*’ margin at the finish was 3Q5 runs, so that Bradman ~ contribution went a long way toward gaining his side victory. “To me there does not appear to be a great deal between the teams,” continue ; Mr Gi'l-an. Both teams seem to be relying at present to a great extent upon three batsmen. In the case of Australia it is Bradman, McCabe and l ingl . m, and for England Hammond Leyland and Barnett have stood rt. S far as the fast attack is concerned the advantage lies definite!' with England. McCormick, tae onl; -si bowler Australia has produced so far, has broken down and. in any .case, he is not nearly □ last as Larw’ood. O’Reilly has howl 4 v . on occasions, but 1 do u‘ t think he is nearly so danguroux. as he was in our country. Nevertheless, our pla> do not underrate him and they are obliged t<> use their wits in playing him. However, a I see O’Reilly, he is more of a defense.e type of bowler than the definite attacking force. He proved himself in England.”