Arthur Edward Robert Gilligan 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 in 1928
Gilligan (right) is tossing a coin at the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 14 June 1924. South African captain Herbie Taylor is watching
Gilligan (third from left) is leading the England team onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the Australian second innings during the fourth Test on 18 February 1925.
A.E.R. Gilligan's MCC team and the Madras team when they met at Chepauk in 1927.
Wisden Cricketers of the Year
The Wisden Cricketers of the Year are cricketers selected for the honour by the annual publication Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, based primarily on their "influence on the previous English season". The award began in 1889 with the naming of "Six Great Bowlers of the Year", and continued with the naming of "Nine Great Batsmen of the Year" in 1890 and "6 Great Wicket-Keepers" in 1891.
George Lohmann an inaugural nominee, 1889
W.G. Grace, sole recipient of the honour, 1896
Jack Hobbs (l) and Herbert Sutcliffe. Hobbs was honoured in both 1909 and 1926, Sutcliffe in 1920.
Sir Donald Bradman, recognised in 1931
