Jason Gallian - grasp the opportunity
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | February 17, 2023
Jason Gallian played grade cricket in Sydney for Manly (playing number 1033) and Mosman before moving to the United Kingdon and playing 259 first class games for Oxford University, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Essex.
Jason played 3 Tests for England (Test player 573) making his debut in the 3rd Test against West Indies in 1995 at Birmingham.
In his first class career Jason scored 15,266 runs at an average of 37.50 including 38 centuries and 72 half centuries. He also took 96 wickets at an average of 43.37.
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club is where it all started so let’s find out more about Jason’s journey
Jason Gallian on Test debut for England
What year you were born?
1971 in Manly Hospital
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was playing for Avalon RSL and we used to go to the games in the back of Mr O’Donnells pick up - 11 of us and the kit bag. Sorry too long ago to remember how it went
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played junior cricket in Manly working my way up to Green Shield and 5th Grade, moved to Mosman for a couple years through the grades, Green Shield and Poidevin Gray. I captained the Australia U19’s against England in Australia and during this time Lancashire were interested in me coming over to play County Cricket in the UK so had 6 months with them.
I came back to the National Academy in Adelaide and decided to migrate back to the UK. I played first class cricket for Oxford University, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Essex, I went on three tours with England A and played 3 Tests for England
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I played 5th Grade for Manly when I was 14
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 16 when I played for Mosman against North Sydney. I have 3 memories: I was very nervous, playing against my coach Trevor Chappell and lastly I remember making a mistake in the field and Wayne Seabrook gave me a telling off.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
My early days I was a batting all-rounder and after two knee operations I became an opening batsmen
You played NSW and Australia Under 19s and then moved to the U.K to play first class cricket. What prompted the move, with mum and dad both English was it always your ambition to play for England?
My ambition was to play County Cricket for Lancashire and Sheffield Shield for NSW. The opportunity came to go to University in England which I took and that closed the door in Australia unfortunately
What were your strengths as a player?
I had pretty good temperament as a batsman and could bat for long periods of time. As an opener, you have lay the platform for the innings and set the tone and if I could achieve that as well I would be able to put the team in a winning position.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
312 for Lancashire v Derbyshire at Old Trafford
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 115 for Lancashire v Surrey at Crosby
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
As an opener I faced a few!
Allan Donald - a pure action and new it was coming fast at you
Courtney Walsh - serious pace and bounce which was difficult to play
Duncan Spencer - came to play at Kent and was fast and skiddy which made it difficult to get out of the way of it
Allan Donald
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Shane Warne - just relentless with applying pressure and making you do things differently
Muttiah Muralitharan - just very different and spun it miles
Saqlain Mushtaq - he was a great exponent of the doosra and use it well
Shane Warne
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Brian Lara - just made the game look so easy
Graeme Hick - just brutal at County Cricket
Mark Waugh - just beautiful to watch in full flow and again made it look so easy
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? And if you could add a few words as to why
Brian Lara scored a century at the Oval in a Test Match I played in. Not only did he dominate the innings but the ease and his batting rhythm was incredible. The other thing is how hard he hit the ball. I was at deep point, he cut a ball and I didn’t even see it as crashed into the advertising boards.
Brian Lara
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
There have been plenty of those!!
I would say Muttiah Muralitharan as he was just so different and difficult to read.
Can you recall a time in a game when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to and had to really knuckle down to survive?
I only played 3 Tests which were all a step up and challenge each time. The standard of cricket was obviously high and I very much wanted to play more but the intensity of your technique being scrutinised, everyone wanting your time and overall outside pressures were difficult but exciting at the same time.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I was very lucky to stand beside some great keepers (as I was at 1st slip most of the time) but I would have to say Chris Read at Nottinghamshire was the best. We had Stuart MacGill for a couple of seasons as the overseas professional and he kept brilliantly to him.
Chris Read
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Neil Fairbrother - when I was at Lancashire he always competed at everything cards, football (a big Manchester United fan) and this came out in his cricket as an attacking left hander we were always in the game when he was in.
Wasim Akram - we had a good side in Lancashire in the 90’s! Wasim could win a game from anywhere if it was with his fast left armers, swinging the new or old ball and winning games with aggressive batting - the ultimate all-rounder.
Neil Fairbrother
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I was Captain for Nottinghamshire for a number of years and won the 2nd division Championship in 2004. I was asked to step down for Stephen Fleming which initially was hard to take but when Stephen arrived he included me in the process of turning the culture of the club around starting a successful era by winning the 1st division Championship in 2005 and has carried on to this day.
You’re England test player number 573 and played 3 Tests for England, how do you look back on your Test career?
Short!
It was a very proud moment for my family, friends and myself. Of course I would have like to play longer but due to injury (broke my finger on debut v West Indies), a lack of consistency in selection and opportunity then things might have been different but I was very grateful be a part of it.
How did you find out you’d be making your Test debut for England and can you share with us the emotion of the experience?
To be honest with you I did not know! I was driving in my car to a game in Oxfordshire and it was announced on national radio. When I heard I almost drove off the road.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Without doubt Graeme Swann - but don’t tell him
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell
Desmond Haynes
Mike Gatting
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Jack Nicklaus
Sir Alex Ferguson
Roger Federer
What was your favourite ground to play at?
In Sydney Manly and Mosman Ovals
UK - Lords
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Test debut and I have played 5 one day finals at Lords which were all great.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the Championship with Nottinghamshire - it went down to the wire and we beat Kent in the second last game of the season to secure the title (2005)
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Mike Gatting, Stuart MacGill and Neil Fairbrother
What are your hobbies?
Golf and cycling - we are in lockdown in the UK and both of those are not happening, so jobs around the house at the moment
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Always take the opportunities that are presented to you. If you work hard the better the opportunities will be.
What is your occupation?
I am at a private school called Felsted in Essex. The alumni are Nick Knight, Derek Pringle and John Stephenson, I’m the Director of cricket and an assistant housemaster.
Do you still play?
The legs have gone and now I coach so playing is a rare thing. I have played the odd Sunday afternoon match with my two sons.
If you were running cricket at a state or country level what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
A clear pathway for players to come through
Create a competitive culture with a group of good athletes and human beings
