Gary Gilmour

Gary John Gilmour (born 26 June 1951, Waratah, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricketer who played in 15 Tests and 5 ODIs from 1973 to 1977.

At the peak of his career, Gilmour combined spectacular, free-hitting batting with penetrative left-arm swing bowling and the ability to hang on to a blinding catch in the slips cordon. He earned comparisons with the great Alan Davidson, who was also a product of New South Wales' central coast. A score of 122 on his debut for New South Wales in January 1972, first caught the eye of the Australian selectors, who weren't afraid to blood him at age 22 during an "experimental" season.

Gilmour's Test debut consisted of 52 runs and 4 for 75 in a big win over New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, he only appeared in two of the next five Tests, as Australia rotated through a number of players with an eye on the Ashes series later in the year. Gilmour gave them something to ponder with seven wickets in a Test at Auckland, which included 5 for 64 in the first innings to set up a series-tying victory.

1975 World Cup

Competition for fast bowling places in the Australian team was intense at this time. Gilmour wasn't selected for the 1974-75 Ashes series, but reappeared in green and gold when selected for the 1975 England tour, which included the inaugural World Cup. The Australians, inexperienced at one-day cricket, adopted a casual yet aggressive approach, often employing a full slips...
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