George Headley (1909–1983) was a West Indian cricketer who played 22 Test matches, mostly before the Second World War. Considered one of the best batsmen to play for West Indies and one of the greatest cricketers of all time, he also represented Jamaica and played professionally in England. Headley was born in Panama but raised in Jamaica where he quickly established a cricketing reputation as a batsman. West Indies had a weak cricket team through most of Headley's career; as their one world-class player, he carried a heavy responsibility, and they 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. 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 interrupted his career. Although he returned to Tests in 1948 he was hampered by injuries. Even so, he was chosen as West Indies captain in 1948 against England, the first black player to be appointed to the position.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Headley

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1431:

Hundred Years' War: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, after being convicted of heresy in a politically motivated trial. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

1815:

The East Indiaman ship Arniston was wrecked during a storm at Waenhuiskrans, near Cape Agulhas, present-day South Africa, with the loss of 372 lives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arniston_(East_Indiaman)

1948:

A dike holding the Columbia River broke, causing a flood that destroyed Vanport, Oregon, US, only five years after it was built. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanport,_Oregon

1967:

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu announced the establishment of Biafra, a secessionist state in southeastern Nigeria, an event that sparked the Nigerian Civil War one week later. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biafra

2005:

American student Natalee Holloway disappeared while on a high school graduation trip to Aruba, and caused a media sensation in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Natalee_Holloway

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

have Van Gogh's ear for music: (humorous) To be tone-deaf. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have_Van_Gogh%27s_ear_for_music

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

You say that you are my judge. I do not know if you are! But I tell you that you must take good care not to judge me wrongly, because you will put yourself in great danger. I warn you, so that if God punishes you for it, I would have done my duty by telling you!   --Joan of Arc https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc