Geoff Pullar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Geoff Pullar

Pullar in 1962
Personal information
Full name	Geoffrey Pullar
Born	(1935-08-01)1 August 1935 Swinton, Lancashire, England
Died	25 December 2014(2014-12-25) (aged 79)
Nickname	Noddy
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Legbreak
International information
National side	England
Test debut	2 July 1959 v India
Last Test	25 January 1963 v Australia
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 28 400 Runs scored 1,974 21,528 Batting average 43.86 35.34 100s/50s 4/12 41/111 Top score 175 175 Balls bowled 66 659 Wickets 1 10 Bowling average 37.00 38.70 5 wickets in innings 0 {{{fivefor2}}} 10 wickets in match 0 {{{tenfor2}}} Best bowling 1/1 3/91 Catches/stumpings 2/– 124/–
Source: CricInfo, 6 November 2022

Geoffrey Pullar (born August 1, 1935 – died December 25, 2014) was a talented English cricket player. He played for two county teams, Lancashire and Gloucestershire. He also represented his country, England, in 28 important matches called Tests.

His friends and fans gave him a special nickname, 'Noddy'. This was not because he fell asleep often, but because he was once caught watching a children's TV show!

Geoff was a very skilled batsman. He rarely hit the ball high in the air. Instead, he drove the ball elegantly and scored runs by flicking it off his toes. He liked to play off his front foot and was good at hitting the ball hard and wide. People compared him to famous Lancashire players like Charlie Hallows and Eddie Paynter. He had the artistic style of Hallows and the strong, determined play of Paynter.

Geoff Pullar's Cricket Journey

Early Life and Club Cricket

Geoff Pullar was born in Swinton, Lancashire, in 1935. He learned to play cricket at Werneth Cricket Club, near his school in Oldham. When he was young, he was good at both batting and bowling. He could bowl a leg break, a type of spin bowling. However, his bowling was not often needed in professional cricket. This was because other skilled bowlers were already playing for his team.

Becoming an England Opener

Originally, Geoff batted in the middle of the team's lineup. But in 1959, he was given a chance to open the batting for England in Test matches against India. He was an instant success! He scored 75 runs in one match and then 131 runs in another. This 131 was the first time a player from Lancashire scored a Test century at their home ground, Old Trafford.

For the next four years, Geoff was a regular player for the England team. He scored four centuries in total and had a great batting average of over 43 runs per game. He played well against South Africa in 1960. He also had a strong tour of the West Indies in 1959–60. There, he faced tough bowlers like Wes Hall and Garfield Sobers.

Highest Scores and Later Career

Geoff had a successful tour to India and Pakistan in 1961–62. His highest score in a Test match was 175 runs against South Africa in 1960. In that game, he and Colin Cowdrey made a huge partnership, scoring 290 runs together for the first wicket.

He faced some challenges against the Australians in 1961. After a tour to Australia in 1962–63, where he became ill, Geoff lost his place in the England team. He never played for England again.

After several years with Lancashire, he joined Gloucestershire in 1969. He was their top batsman in his first season there. Sadly, arthritis in his knees forced him to retire from cricket in 1970 after only six matches.

Awards and Achievements

Geoff Pullar received several honors during his career.

• In 1959, he was named Young Cricketer of the Year by the Cricket Writers' Association. That year, he scored three centuries against the champions, Yorkshire.
• He was also one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1960, which is a very special award in cricket.
• Interestingly, he also won a junior England cap for table tennis!

Geoff Pullar passed away at the age of 79 on December 25, 2014.