Arthur Gilligan

Arthur Gilligan

Gilligan in 1928
Personal information
Full name	Arthur Edward Robert Gilligan
Born	(1894-12-23)23 December 1894 Denmark Hill, London, England
Died	5 September 1976(1976-09-05) (aged 81) Pulborough, Sussex, England
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right arm fast
Relations	Frank Gilligan (brother) Harold Gilligan (brother)
International information
National side	England
Test debut (cap 207)	23 December 1922 v South Africa
Last Test	4 March 1925 v Australia
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1919–1920	Cambridge University
1919	Surrey
1920–1932	Sussex
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 11 337 Runs scored 209 9,140 Batting average 16.07 20.08 100s/50s 0/0 12/26 Top score 39* 144 Balls bowled 2,404 42,649 Wickets 36 868 Bowling average 29.05 23.20 5 wickets in innings 2 42 10 wickets in match 1 4 Best bowling 6/7 8/25 Catches/stumpings 3/0 181/0
Source: Cricinfo, 17 May 2012

Arthur Edward Robert Gilligan (23 December 1894 – 5 September 1976) was an English first-class cricketer who captained the England cricket team nine times in 1924 and 1925, winning four Test matches, losing four and drawing one. In first-class cricket, he played as an amateur, mainly for Cambridge University and Sussex, and captained the latter team between 1922 and 1929. A fast bowler and hard-hitting lower order batsman, Gilligan completed the double in 1923 and was one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year for 1924. When his playing career ended, he held several important positions in cricket, including that of England selector and president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). A popular figure within cricket, he was widely regarded as sporting and friendly.

Gilligan played cricket for Dulwich College before the First World War, then for Cambridge, twice winning his blue. He briefly played county cricket for Surrey but moved to Sussex in 1920. Following a slow start to his county career, he rapidly improved and in partnership with Maurice Tate established a formidable bowling reputation. First playing for England in 1922, he was appointed Test captain in 1924. In the latter year, Gilligan was at the height of his form when he suffered a blow to his heart while batting. The strain affected his bowling, which was never again as effective, but he still captained England in Australia during the 1924–25 season. The series was lost, but both he and his team were popular and respected. In following years, he played less frequently; he resigned as Sussex captain in 1929 and retired three years later. He subsequently became a writer, journalist and cricket commentator while maintaining his connections with Sussex.

As a captain, Gilligan was well-liked by players and commentators, although many did not believe he was an effective tactician. Nevertheless, under his leadership, Sussex became an attractive, competitive team. He encouraged the search for young talent, and the players consequently discovered became the backbone of the club into the 1930s. As a fielder, he inspired his teams to become good fielding sides. In addition, as MCC captain of a team which toured India in 1926–27, he encouraged Indians to take responsibility for their own cricket board instead of allowing white Englishmen to run Indian cricket, and lobbied the MCC to bestow Test match status on the Indian team. As MCC president, he played a part in the D'Oliveira affair in 1968.

During his playing days, Gilligan was a member of the British Fascists. He came to the notice of the Australian secret service during the 1924–25 MCC (England) tour, and it is possible he helped to establish small fascist groups in Australia. It is unknown how long he remained a member, but the organisation practically ceased to exist by 1926. Gilligan died in 1976, aged 81.