The extraordinary Arthur Gilligan

There are plenty of great characters in the early history of cricket. At this moment you can go to now on the best players of this sport.

One of those names is Arthur Gilligan. Born back in 1894, in the heart of England, Arthur wasn’t just any cricketer. Instead, he was something of a cricketing hero, especially known for his time as captain of 2 major teams, which were the English national team and Sussex. An online bet can be made at 1xBet on all matches of those 2 squads too.

A leader on the field

He began playing cricket at Cambridge University. One of the things that immediately captured people’s attention was his fast and fierce bowling. And let’s not forget, he could hit the ball too, making him a pretty handy player to have lower down the order. Making betting is safe, and here you can wager on the best competitions from England.

However, many people agree that Gilligan’s greatest asset was his leadership. He had this ability for motivating his teammates, leading England in 11 Test matches between 1922 and 1925, which included a particularly spicy Ashes series. Performing cricket betting at 1xBet is always safe, and this can always be done on all editions of the Ashes too.

Let’s talk about some of the numbers that Gilligan made during his career:

• he played a total of 190 first-class matches
• he took 622 wickets;
• he had an average of approximately 29.64;

He achieved those things as a bowler. Now, as a batsman, he got more than 3 thousand runs, even with a few centuries in the process. It is also worth noting that he got a top score of 144, which is extraordinary.

Much more than just the numbers

Beyond the cricket field, he was a force, diving into cricket administration and commentary, and keeping the game’s spirit alive long after he hung up his boots. It is worth mentioning that his brother Harold was also the captain of the English national side. You may also want to check games, where great virtual players can be found too.

Despite all the stats and accolades, Gilligan’s story wasn’t without its controversies. He caught some flak for allegedly encouraging bodyline bowling during the 1924-1925 Ashes. This was a tactic that would later stir up a storm in the cricket world. Yet, through it all, his dedication and love for the game shone through, untarnished. You may also love the 1xBet virtual games that you can check today, and in this website, lots of cricket wagers can be found too.