Geoffrey Boycott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Geoffrey Boycott

Watercolour artwork of Geoffrey Boycott
Personal information
Born	(1940-10-21) 21 October 1940 (age 84) Fitzwilliam, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Nickname	Boycs Fiery GLY (Greatest Living Yorkshireman) Sir Geoffrey Thatch
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Opening batsman
International information
National side	England (1964–1982)
Test debut (cap 422)	4 June 1964 v Australia
Last Test	1 January 1982 v India
ODI debut (cap 1)	5 January 1971 v Australia
Last ODI	20 December 1981 v India
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1962–1986	Yorkshire
1971/72	Northern Transvaal
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 108 36 609 313 Runs scored 8,114 1,082 48,426 10,095 Batting average 47.72 36.06 56.83 39.12 100s/50s 22/42 1/9 151/238 8/74 Top score 246* 105 261* 146 Balls bowled 944 168 3,685 1,975 Wickets 7 5 45 30 Bowling average 54.57 21.00 32.42 40.26 5 wickets in innings 0 0 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0 Best bowling 3/47 2/14 4/14 3/15 Catches/stumpings 33/– 5/– 264/– 99/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  England ICC Cricket World Cup Runner-up 1979 England
Source: CricketArchive, 7 December 2008

Sir Geoffrey Boycott (born 21 October 1940) is a famous former Test player from England. He played for Yorkshire and the England national team. From 1962 to 1986, Boycott became one of England's best opening batsmen. He was known for his strong batting and ability to stay on the field for a long time.

He played in the 1979 Cricket World Cup, where England finished as runners-up. Boycott made his international debut in 1964 against Australia. He scored many runs, becoming the first English player to average over 100 runs in a season twice. He was also the first English player to score over 8,000 runs in Test matches.

In 1965, Wisden named him one of their five Cricketers of the Year. In 2009, he joined the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame. After retiring from playing, Boycott became a well-known cricket commentator on radio and TV. He survived throat cancer in 2002 and returned to commentating in 2003. He retired from commentating in 2020.

Early Life and Cricket Beginnings

Geoffrey Boycott was born on October 21, 1940, in Fitzwilliam, a mining village in Yorkshire, England. He was the oldest of three sons. His father worked in a colliery (coal mine).

When Geoffrey was eight, he had a serious accident. He fell and was injured by a machine handle, which led to his spleen being removed. In 1950, his father also had a bad accident while working as a coalminer, hurting his spine.

Geoffrey started playing cricket very young on the streets of Fitzwilliam. He used a manhole cover as a wicket. He learned his favorite shots like the square cut and straight drive because hitting the ball far meant he could score more runs.

He went to Fitzwilliam Primary School and won a batting award for scoring 45 runs and taking six wickets. At age 10, he joined Ackworth Cricket Club and showed great talent. He later moved to Hemsworth Grammar School and captained the school's cricket team at 15. During winters, he trained with former professional cricketer Johnny Lawrence.

Geoffrey needed glasses for his eyesight, which was tough at first. But a special, stronger pair helped him play better. In 1958, he left school with good grades and the school's cricket cup. He also played football for Leeds United's under-18 team.

He chose to leave school at 17 to help his family financially and focus on cricket. He worked as a clerk from 1958 to 1963 while playing for local cricket clubs. He was noticed by Clifford Hesketh, a member of the Yorkshire County Cricket team committee.

County Cricket Career

Boycott started playing for his home county, Yorkshire, in 1962. He had already been a top player for other local teams. For Yorkshire, he played 414 matches and scored 32,570 runs, with a high score of 260 not out. He also made 103 centuries (scores of 100 runs or more).

He twice averaged over 100 runs in an English first-class season: in 1971 and 1979. Only one other player, Mark Ramprakash, has done this.

Starting Out in County Cricket

Before playing first-class cricket, Boycott played for Barnsley Cricket Club from 1959. He played alongside famous cricketers like Dickie Bird and Michael Parkinson. Dickie Bird remembered Boycott's strong focus and belief in himself.

Boycott made his Yorkshire first-team debut on June 16, 1962, against the Pakistan touring team. He scored four runs in both innings. His first County Championship match was on June 20 against Northamptonshire.

His early performances were not always impressive. However, in 1963, he scored 145 runs against Lancashire. This century was part of a 249-run partnership, which was a Yorkshire record. He continued to play well, scoring 1446 runs that season. He received his county cap on October 2.

In 1964, Boycott scored 151 against Middlesex and another century against Lancashire. He then played for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against Australia, scoring 63 runs. By the end of 1964, he was the top domestic player with an average of 59.45.

While he was known for his defensive play, he could also play attacking cricket. In 1965, he scored a match-winning 146 runs in the Gillette Cup final against Surrey. He and captain Brian Close made a 192-run partnership, helping Yorkshire score a record total of 317.

In 1966, Boycott scored two centuries in one match for the first time. In 1968, he carried his bat (stayed not out for the entire innings) with 114 runs against Leicestershire. He finished that season as the top national player. In 1970, he scored 260 not out against Essex, his highest first-class score in England.

Leading the Yorkshire Team

Boycott became captain of Yorkshire in 1971. He had always wanted to lead the team. However, his time as captain was not very successful for the club, as they did not win any major competitions.

Despite the team's struggles, Boycott himself played very well. In his first year as captain, he scored 2,503 runs with an average of 100.12. He was the top national batsman in 1972 with an average of 72.35.

In 1978, he broke a finger, and John Hampshire took over as captain. When Boycott returned, he still played well, but a poll showed that most players wanted a permanent change in captaincy. On September 27, 1978, his mother passed away, adding more pressure. The club decided to keep him as a player but give the captaincy to Hampshire.

Later Years in County Cricket

Boycott decided to stay with Yorkshire as a player. In 1979, he scored 1,941 runs and hit six centuries, passing Len Hutton's record of 129 first-class centuries. In 1980, he scored his ninth century in the "Roses match" (Yorkshire vs. Lancashire), equaling Herbert Sutcliffe's record. He also averaged over 50.00 for a record eleventh year in a row.

In 1982, Boycott and Graham Stevenson set a record 149-run partnership for Yorkshire's tenth wicket. However, in October 1983, the club decided not to offer him a contract for the next season. This caused many protests from his supporters.

Due to public pressure, Yorkshire offered him a contract in January 1984. He also became a member of the Yorkshire Club committee. His form dipped slightly in 1984, but he returned to success in 1985, scoring 1,657 runs at 75.31. He also had a record opening partnership of 351 runs with Martyn Moxon.

Many younger players enjoyed playing with Boycott in 1985 and 1986, as he often helped them with their technique. In 1986, injuries became more frequent for him. On September 23, 1986, it was confirmed he would not be offered a contract for the next year. He was the leading run-scorer in first-class cricket when he retired. Other counties offered him contracts, but he chose not to play professional cricket again.

Test Match Career

Over his 18-year career, Geoffrey Boycott scored 8,114 runs in 108 Test matches for England. He was the first England cricketer to pass 8,000 Test runs. As of 2023, he is seventh on England's all-time run-scoring list. His average of 47.72 runs is the highest for an England player since 1970. He scored 22 centuries, which is fourth in England's records. England never lost a Test match where he scored a century.

Debut and Early Years

Boycott started his Test career on June 4, 1964, against Australia. He scored 48 runs in his first innings. The match was a draw, and he couldn't bat in the second innings due to a cracked finger. He later scored 58 at Old Trafford and his first Test century, 113, at The Oval. He finished his first Test series with 291 runs.

In late 1964, he toured South Africa with the England team. He scored 73, 76, and 117 in the Test series, averaging 49.66. He made a good impression with his talent.

In 1965, he played against New Zealand and South Africa. He missed some matches due to injury. He was briefly dropped from the team but returned for the tour to Australia. In the 1965-66 Ashes series, he and Bob Barber had an opening partnership of 234 runs.

In 1967, Boycott made his highest Test score of 246 not out against India at his home ground, Headingley. He batted for 573 minutes, hitting thirty fours and one six. Despite this great score, he was dropped from the team due to his slow scoring. He felt very upset by this decision. He played two more Tests that year and then toured the West Indies, where he scored 463 runs.

Headingley Cricket Ground, in Leeds, was Boycott's home and favourite ground, the scene of his hundredth first-class century.

Over the next two years, Boycott played less often for the Test team due to a back injury and trouble with his contact lenses. He returned in 1969, scoring 128 against the West Indies at Old Trafford and another century at Lord's.

In 1970, he scored 157 against the World XI. He was selected for the 1970–71 tour of Australia. He scored 142 not out in the fourth Test at Sydney, helping England win. He ended the series with 657 Test runs.

In 1971, Boycott made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Australia. He was the first batsman to face a ball in an ODI and the first to be dismissed, scoring eight runs. That summer, he averaged over 100 in domestic cricket and scored 121 not out against Pakistan.

He played only two Tests in 1972 due to injuries. In 1973–74, he scored 99 and 112 against the West Indies.

Time Away from Test Cricket

From 1974 to 1977, Boycott chose not to play for England. He later said he had lost his desire for Test cricket and found the stress too much.

Return to Test Cricket

Boycott batting against New Zealand national cricket team in February 1978.

When Boycott returned to the Test team in 1977 against Australia, he scored a century at Trent Bridge. He batted on all five days of the match, a rare achievement. He also had a 215-run partnership with Alan Knott.

On August 11 and 12, 1977, he scored 191 against Australia at Headingley. In this match, he became the first cricketer to score his 100th first-class century in a Test match. He ended the series with 442 runs.

He was made vice-captain for the tour of Pakistan and New Zealand that winter. He captained England for two Tests when Mike Brearley was injured. In the second Test against Pakistan, he scored 79 and 100 not out.

In New Zealand, England lost to New Zealand for the first time in 48 years. In the second match, Boycott scored slowly. Ian Botham famously ran him out, which some say was on purpose to speed up the game. Boycott missed the end of the final match due to an eye injury.

Later Test Matches

Boycott played 38 Test matches against Australia in the Ashes series, scoring 2,945 runs with seven centuries.

In the 1978–79 Ashes series, Boycott scored 77 runs without hitting a boundary in one innings. England won the series 5–1.

Boycott played in the 1979 Cricket World Cup. England reached the final but lost to the West Indies. Boycott scored 57 runs in the final.

In 1979–80, Boycott became the first player to be left stranded on 99 not out in a Test match because his team ran out of other batsmen. He then toured the West Indies again, scoring centuries against their strong bowlers even though he was over 40. He scored 70 in one match, the only England player to pass 50.

In the third match in Barbados, he faced a famous over from fast bowler Michael Holding. Boycott described it as one of the toughest overs he ever faced. He then worked on his game and scored his 20th Test century in the fourth Test.

In the 1981 Ashes series, at age 40, Boycott scored 137 in the sixth Test at The Oval. He passed Colin Cowdrey's record to become England's highest Test run-scorer at the time.

End of International Career

Boycott was not given the captaincy for the 1981–82 Test series against India, which upset him. This series was his last. He passed Gary Sobers' career run record, becoming the leading Test run-scorer. In his final Test match in January 1982, he scored 18 and six runs.

During this tour, he claimed to be too ill to field in a Test match, but it was later found he was playing golf. This led to him being dropped from the team. He later said he was following medical advice to get fresh air.

In 1982, he helped organize a "rebel tour" to South Africa, which was banned due to apartheid. As a result, he and other players were banned from international cricket for three years. Although he played well in county cricket later, he did not return to the England team.

Playing Style

Geoffrey Boycott's playing style was all about deep focus, strong defense, and careful attention to detail. He avoided hitting the ball too hard or taking big risks. He was known as one of the greatest opening batsmen because he dedicated his life to batting.

He would practice very carefully and avoid any shot that might get him out. His technique was almost perfect for defense. He was especially suited for long, five-day Test matches. He even kept a special black book to record how different bowlers played.

His careful batting meant he didn't score quickly, but it helped him make 22 centuries for England. He was sometimes vulnerable to injuries, especially to his left shoulder, elbow, and forearm. He also had trouble with left-arm bowlers at times.

Boycott was not a natural all-rounder (a player good at both batting and bowling). He took seven wickets in Test matches, often bowling with his cap turned backward to help his vision.

At the start of his career, he was not a great fielder. But with help from others, he improved and became good at cover point. He was known for his safe hands, though he wasn't very fast in the field.

Written Works

Boycott has written several books about cricket, including his own autobiography:

• Geoff Boycott's Book for Young Cricketers, 1976.
• Put to the Test, 1979.
• Opening up, 1980.
• In The Fast Lane, 1981
• Sir Geoffrey. 21 Years of Yorkshire Cricket, 1984.
• Boycott: The Autobiography, 1987.
• Free as a Bird: Life and Times of Harold "Dickie" Bird with David Hopps, 1997.
• Boycott on Cricket, 1990.
• Geoffrey Boycott on Cricket, 1999.
• The Best XI, 2008
• Geoffrey Boycott: The Corridor of Certainty, 2014

Records and Achievements

• He was named a Cricketer of the Year in 1965 by Wisden.
• He won the Walter Lawrence Trophy in 1970.

Test Match Records

Boycott's long career in Test matches led to many records:

• He is the seventh most capped player for England in Tests.
• He has the sixth highest career runs total for an England player (8,114 runs).
• He was the 14th quickest player to reach 8,000 runs, doing it in 190 innings.
• He topped the national batting averages for six seasons, more than any other player after World War II.
• He is tied for fourth in the list of centuries for England (22 centuries).
• England never lost any of the 22 Test matches in which he scored a century (10 wins, 12 draws).
• He was the first player to score 99 not out in a Test match.
• He was also the first to score 99 and then a century in the same Test match.
• The 48 century partnerships he was part of was a record for England players at the time.
• In 1977, he became the first England player to bat on all five days of a Test match.

Opening Partners

Boycott played with 16 different opening partners for England during his long career.

Test Match Performance by Opponent

Boycott's international Test figures for batting and bowling by opposition

		Batting				Bowling
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High score	100 / 50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best
Australia	38	2945	47.50	191	7/14	107	2	53.50	2/32
India	13	1084	57.05	246*	4/2	8	0	–	–
New Zealand	15	916	38.16	131	2/6	30	0	–	–
Pakistan	6	591	84.42	121*	3/3	4	0	–	–
South Africa	7	373	37.30	117	1/2	217	5	43.40	3/47
West Indies	29	2205	45.93	128	5/15	16	0	–	–
Overall	108	8114	47.72	246*	22/42	382	7	54.57	3/47

This graph shows Geoffrey Boycott's Test match batting career. The red bars are runs scored in each innings, and the blue line shows his average over the last ten innings. Blue dots mean he was not out.

One-Day International Career

Boycott's ODI career was not as long or as successful as his Test career. However, he holds a special place in history: he faced the very first ball ever bowled in a One-Day International match. He was also the first batsman to be dismissed in that first ODI game. This match was arranged quickly because a Test match was rained out.

ODI Performance by Opponent

Boycott's international ODI figures for batting and bowling by opposition

		Batting				Bowling
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High score	100 / 50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best
Australia	17	686	52.76	105	1/5	42	2	13.00	2/15
Canada	1	14	–	14*	0/0	3	0	–	–
India	2	11	5.50	6	0/0	–	–	–	–
New Zealand	3	37	12.33	20	0/0	24	1	24.00	1/24
Pakistan	4	27	9.00	18	0/0	14	2	7.00	2/14
West Indies	9	307	34.11	70	0/4	38	0	–	–
Overall	36	1082	36.06	105	1/9	105	5	21.00	2/14

International Centuries

Test Centuries

Boycott's Test centuries

No.	Score	Against	Pos.	Inn.	Test	Venue	H/A	Date	Result	Ref
1	&10000000000001130000000 113	Australia	1	3	5/5	The Oval, London	Home	13 August 1964	Drawn
2	&10000000000001170000000 117	South Africa	1	2	5/5	St George's Park, Port Elizabeth	Away	12 February 1965	Drawn
3	&10000000000002465000000 246 not out	India	2	1	1/3	Headingley, Leeds	Home	8 June 1967	Won
4	&10000000000001160000000 116	West Indies	2	2	5/5	Bourda, Georgetown	Away	28 March 1968	Drawn
5	&10000000000001280000000 128	West Indies	1	1	1/3	Old Trafford, Manchester	Home	12 June 1969	Won
6	&10000000000001060000000 106	West Indies	1	4	2/3	Lord's, London	Home	26 June 1969	Drawn
7	&10000000000001425000000 142 not out	Australia	1	3	4/7	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	9 January 1971	Won
8	&10000000000001195000000 119 not out	Australia	1	3	6/7	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	Away	29 January 1971	Drawn
9	&10000000000001215000000 121 not out	Pakistan	1	1	2/3	Lord's, London	Home	17 June 1971	Drawn
10	&10000000000001120000000 112	Pakistan	1	1	3/3	Headingley, Leeds	Home	8 July 1971	Won
11	&10000000000001150000000 115	New Zealand	1	2	3/3	Headingley, Leeds	Home	5 July 1973	Won
12	&10000000000001120000000 112	West Indies	1	3	5/5	Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain	Away	30 March 1974	Won
13	&10000000000001070000000 107	Australia	2	2	3/5	Trent Bridge, Nottingham	Home	28 July 1977	Won
14	&10000000000001910000000 191	Australia	2	1	4/5	Headingley, Leeds	Home	11 August 1977	Won
15	&10000000000001005000000 100 not out	Pakistan	1	4	2/3	Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad	Away	2 January 1978	Drawn
16	&10000000000001310000000 131	New Zealand	2	1	2/3	Trent Bridge, Nottingham	Home	10 August 1978	Won
17	&10000000000001550000000 155	India	2	1	1/4	Edgbaston, Birmingham	Home	12 July 1979	Won
18	&10000000000001250000000 125	India	1	3	4/4	The Oval, London	Home	30 August 1979	Drawn
19	&10000000000001285000000 128 not out	Australia	2	4	1/1	Lord's, London	Home	28 August 1980	Drawn
20	&10000000000001045000000 104 not out	West Indies	2	3	4/5	Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's	Away	27 March 1981	Drawn
21	&10000000000001370000000 137	Australia	1	2	6/6	The Oval, London	Home	27 August 1981	Drawn
22	&10000000000001050000000 105	India	2	1	3/6	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	Away	23 December 1981	Drawn

One-Day International Century

Boycott's one ODI century

No.	Score	Against	Pos.	Inn.	SR	Venue	H/A	Date	Result	Ref
1	&10000000000001050000000 105	Australia	2	1	84.67	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	11 December 1979	Won

Honours and Awards

Insignia of a Knight Bachelor

• Boycott was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1980 for his services to Cricket.
• He was made a Knight in 2019.
• He received honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1993.
• He was president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 2012 to 2014.
• He was given an honorary doctorate in Sports Science by Leeds Metropolitan University in 2010.

Images for kids

• 

  Boycott dismissed by Richard Collinge in February 1978.