LEGENDWALLS
George Headley gave early West Indies cricket a world-class batting centre and a symbol of possibility.

GEORGEHEADLEY

The first West Indian batting giant, known as the Black Bradman and Atlas for carrying an emerging side.

Unofficial fan tribute — not affiliated with George Headley, their representatives, clubs, leagues, federations, or sponsors.

Discover the story
George Headley in a cricket portrait
WEST INDIESTHE ATLAS OF WEST INDIES
THE LEGACYBefore the dynasty, one batter carried the map.
COLÓN · PANAMA1909 — 1983
Test runsTest centuriesHighest Test scoreHistoric captainTest runsTest centuriesHighest Test scoreHistoric captain
01

Origin
and identity

George Headley gave early West Indies cricket a world-class batting centre and a symbol of possibility.

Headley combined footwork, concentration and a full range of strokes to score heavily when West Indies were still establishing themselves in Test cricket.

His 60.83 Test average remains among the game's highest. In 1948 he became the first Black man appointed to captain West Indies in a Test.

02

A defining
career arc

PLACES · MOMENTS · ERAS

SIX SCENES.
ONE LEGACY.

1
1909
The beginning

Colón

George Headley was born in Colón, Panama.

2
1930
Test debut

Bridgetown

He scored 176 in only his second Test innings.

3
1930
Two hundreds

Georgetown

He made 114 and 112 in the same Test against England.

4
1931
Two hundred twenty-three

Brisbane

His first Test in Australia produced a monumental century.

5
1935
Two hundred seventy

Kingston

His highest Test score helped secure a series victory.

6
1948
Historic captaincy

Bridgetown

He became the first Black Test captain of West Indies.

03

Completed
milestones

NOT JUST RECORDS.
LANDMARKS.

012,190

Test runs

At 60.83

0210

Test centuries

In only 40 innings

03270*

Highest Test score

Against England in 1935

041948

Historic captain

First Black West Indies Test captain

These are completed, source-backed milestones; changing live totals are intentionally excluded.

STYLE · INFLUENCE · MEMORY

CARRY A
CRICKET NATION.

Headley was the bridge between colonial-era beginnings and the confidence of the great West Indian sides that followed.

04

Editorial
references

PRIMARY & AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES

FACTS WITH
A PAPER TRAIL.

01ICC Hall of Fame — George Headley02Wikimedia Commons — George Headley photo.jpg and licence

Editorial facts and completed milestones last reviewed on August 8, 2026. This independent tribute does not imply endorsement.