Jason Edward Riche Gallian is a former English Test cricketer. A right-handed opening batsman, he originally hails from Australia and captained their Under-19 side for two Under-19 Tests in 1989 and 1990. He played three Test matches for England but disappointed, with a highest score of 28 runs in six innings. Gallian was a county professional for fifteen years, previously playing for Lancashire and Nottinghamshire. He signed a two-year deal to play for Essex until 2009, and scored 171 on his Championship debut for the county. In September 2005, Gallian became the first player to have twice been dismissed for 199 in first-class cricket when he was run out against Kent. His previous dismissal for that score had been in April of the same season against Sussex, and on that occasion he was also run out. Early in his career he, along with Graham Thorpe, was heralded as a brilliant prospect for England, but as his record suggests, while Gallian may have had the talent to play Test cricket, he apparently lacked the temperament.
Early career
Gallian was born at Manly, New South Wales and captained the Australian under-19 side against its English counterpart in 1989. He was educated at Keble College, Oxford, reading Diplomacy and Social Studies, which he described as "a course that allowed me time to play cricket in my third year". He played for Oxford University 1990–1993, captaining in the Varsity Match in 1993 and scoring 115 and 53 not out. During this time Gallian frequently opened both the batting and the bowling, though his medium-paced bowling has since only been used in partnership-breaking capacities. Gallian began his first-class career at Lancashire and his innings of 312 was the highest score at Old Trafford.
Nottinghamshire
After Nottinghamshire were relegated in 2003, batsman Kevin Pietersen requested a release from his contract, stating he was unhappy at the club. This led to a public row with Gallian, then the captain of the club, during which Gallian allegedly threw Pietersen's kit off the Trent Bridge balcony and broke his bat:
During the game I told the captain that I was not happy and that I wanted to leave. After the game we spoke in the dressing room and then I went to have dinner. I got a call saying the captain had trashed my equipment. I was told the captain had said, "if he does not want to play for Notts he can f*** off." I have not spoken to Gallian since, nor have I received an apology.
Pietersen was forced to complete the last year of his contract with Nottinghamshire, but "didn't enjoy it at all".
Essex
When Gallian's contract with Nottinghamshire expired at the end of 2007, he signed a two-year contract with Essex. Essex chose to give Gallian a contract to provide experience to their young squad. David East, the club's chief executive, said "He has a very impressive record and his vast experience will greatly assist our young and exciting batsmen to develop over the next few years. Jason is very excited about this next stage in his career and is looking forward to joining what he describes as a young and vibrant squad that is going places". Gallian announced his retirement from cricket in August 2009, having made five first-class appearances for Essex during the 2009 season. Gallian now plays club cricket for Saffron Walden and is the head of cricket at Felsted School, Essex, where he qualified to become a geography teacher.
