For the jewelry designer and museum founder, see George W. Headley.
George Headley
Headley in 1930–31
Personal information
Full name
George Alphonso Headley
Born
(1909-05-30)30 May 1909 Colón, Panama
Died
30 November 1983(1983-11-30) (aged 74) Kingston, Jamaica
Nickname
Atlas, the Black Bradman
Batting
Right-handed
Bowling
Right arm leg break
Role
Batsman
Relations
Ron Headley (son)Dean Headley (grandson)
International information
National side
West Indies
Test debut (cap 17)
11 January 1930 v England
Last Test
21 January 1954 v England
Domestic team information
Years
Team
1927–1954
Jamaica
Career statistics
Competition
Test
First-class
Matches
22
103
Runs scored
2,190
9,921
Batting average
60.83
69.86
100s/50s
10/5
33/44
Top score
270*
344*
Balls bowled
398
4,201
Wickets
0
51
Bowling average
–
36.11
5 wickets in innings
–
1
10 wickets in match
–
0
Best bowling
–
5/33
Catches/stumpings
14/–
76/–
Source: CricketArchive, 7 January 2009
George Alphonso Headley OD, MBE (30 May 1909 – 30 November 1983) was a West Indian cricketer who played 22 Test matches, mostly before World War II. Considered one of the best batsmen to play for the West Indies and one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Headley also represented Jamaica and played professional club cricket in England. West Indies had a weak cricket team through most of Headley's playing career; as their one world-class player, he carried a heavy responsibility and the side depended on his batting. He batted at number three, scoring 2,190 runs in Tests at an average of 60.83, and 9,921 runs in all first-class matches at an average of 69.86. He was chosen as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1934.
Headley was born in Panama but raised in Jamaica, where he quickly established a cricketing reputation as a batsman. He soon gained his place in the Jamaican cricket team, and narrowly missed selection for the West Indies tour of England in 1928. He made his Test debut in 1930, against England in Barbados, and was instantly successful. Further successes followed in series against Australia and in three more against England, as Headley dominated the West Indian batting of the period. Following his tour of England in 1933, Headley signed as a professional at Haslingden in the Lancashire League, where he played until the outbreak of war in 1939.
The war interrupted Headley's career; although he returned to Tests in 1948, he was hampered by injuries and did not achieve his previous levels of success. Even so, he was chosen as West Indies captain in 1948 against England, the first black player to be appointed to the position, although a combination of injuries and politics meant he only led his team for one Test match. He did not play Tests between 1949 and 1953, but resumed his career in English league cricket, first in Lancashire and later in the Birmingham League. His playing career ended in 1954 on his return to Jamaica, after a public subscription paid his fare from England. After retiring as a player, Headley was employed as a cricket coach by the Jamaican government until 1962. He lived until 1983; his son Ron and his grandson Dean each played Test match cricket, for West Indies and England respectively.
George Alphonso Headley OD, MBE (30 May 1909 – 30 November 1983) was a West Indian cricketer who played 22 Test matches, mostly before World War II. Considered...
comes from a famous cricketing family, being the son of Ron Headley and grandson of GeorgeHeadley. He was the first Test cricketer to be both the son and...
Ronald George Alphonso Headley (born 29 June 1939) is a former West Indian cricketer who played in two Tests and one ODI in 1973. An opening batsman,...
were awarded the GeorgeHeadley/Everton Weekes trophy. In a few previous seasons the winners of the tournament were awarded the Headley/Weekes trophy. On...
literary critic (b. 1926) November 28 – Christopher George, American actor (b. 1931) November 30 GeorgeHeadley, West Indian cricketer (b. 1909) Richard Llewellyn...
Indies players in that first match after the war only Gerry Gomez, GeorgeHeadley, Jeffrey Stollmeyer, and Foffie Williams had previously played Test...
The most prominent[according to whom?] Jamaican cricketers include GeorgeHeadley, Allan Rae, Alf Valentine, Collie Smith, Lawrence Rowe, Michael Holding...
west side. The Blue Mountains form a backdrop to the north, facing the GeorgeHeadley Stand, with Kingston Harbour to the south. This view is currently blocked...
scored 20% of his team runs, a feat surpassed only by Bradman (23%) and GeorgeHeadley (21%). Lara scored 688 runs (42% of team output, a record for a series...
Gerry Alexander Simone Edwards Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Chris Gayle GeorgeHeadley Merlene Ottey Stafanie Taylor Theodore Whitmore Arthur Wint Elaine Thompson-Herah...
and the Steppenwolf Theater Ensemble. In 1985, Headly starred as Raina in George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, directed by John Malkovich, in New York...
first ever Test victory being recorded on 26 February 1930. West Indian GeorgeHeadley scored the most runs (703) in the rubber and Learie Constantine took...
Sir Donald George Bradman AC (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), nicknamed "The Don", was an Australian international cricketer, widely acknowledged as...
October 2010. "Desmond Haynes". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 14 June 2021. "GeorgeHeadley". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved...
their loyalty to the Crown. Two noteworthy West Indian cricketers are GeorgeHeadley, who captained the West Indies in the first test against the touring...
May 2012). "England v West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the modern GeorgeHeadley, carries his team on his slender shoulders". The Daily Telegraph. Archived...
February 1930 against England, which the home side won by 289 runs and GeorgeHeadley scored a century in each innings. Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai have...
Lord Headley, Baron Allanson and Winn, of Aghadoe in the County of Kerry, was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1797 for Sir George Allanson-Winn...
Fourth and final Test of the series against England before an injury to GeorgeHeadley allowed Weekes to return to the side. After being dropped on 0, Weekes...
days on the final day's play. The oldest West Indian Test player is GeorgeHeadley who was aged 44 years and 230 days when he represented West Indies for...
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