George Alphanso Headley
George Headley is described as
the genius of cricket. In his day he thrilled West Indians with his skill and
lightning batting.
Born in Panama of West Indian parents on May 20, 1909,
he later came to Jamaica to live where he excelled in cricket. Headley played
his first test match at Lord's Cricket ground when he was 20 years
old. From this
very first match Headley's fame began to grow.
The Second World War (1939~1945) robbed young Headley
of several years of what would have been the prime years of his cricket career.
Despite this set back, Headley's greatness was clear in the only 22 test
matches which he did play. He made 2,190 runs with his highest score being 270
- not out. Overall he had a batting average of 60.83 and he made ten centuries.
In the book, "Beyond a Boundary" Headley was
said by CLR James, the author, to be "quick on his feet as any player I
have seen." He had characteristics which can be attributed to less than
half a dozen in the whole history of the game.
His achievements were so outstanding that by his
twenty-first birthday he was a hero of Jamaica and of West Indian cricket. As a
Black man, Headley excelled in a sport which was then dominated by Whites. In
his limited time he helped to lay the foundation for the extremely healthy
state of the present West Indian cricket.
George Headley passed away on November30, 1983 at the
age of 74.
A Fl WI IIERITAGE … JIS 1996