George Heath

George Edward Mansell Heath (20 February 1913 — 6 March 1994) was an English first-class cricketer, who took over 400 wickets for Hampshire in a career spanning from 1937 to 1949, separated by the Second World War.

Life and cricket career Heath was born at Victoria Peak in British Hong Kong in February 1913. He played club cricket in the Bournemouth area, before joining the staff at Hampshire in 1934. Playing for Hampshire Club and Ground against the United Services in 1935, his first wicket on the staff was future Hampshire batsman John Manners. establishing himself in the Hampshire side with 76 wickets at an average of 22.93 with his right-arm fast-medium bowling, claiming three five wicket hauls. He gained his county cap during his debut season. He improved his returns the following season, with 97 wickets at an average of 23.77 from 29 matches, taking five wickets in an innings on five occasions.

During the Second World War, he played in exhibition matches across Hampshire. Having lost six playing years to the war, he returned to the Hampshire side following the end of the conflict, In 132 first-class appearances for Hampshire, he took 404 wickets at an average of 28.11; he took five wickets in an innings on 23 occasions and ten-wickets in a match twice. Arlott remarked that "as a shock opening bowler, he was of very high quality indeed".

His benefit season was held in 1951, with Heath coaching cricket to schoolboys on the playing fields near the Hilsea Lines during the early-1950s. He was the landlord of The Cricketer's Tavern in Leigh Park during the 1950s. He played club cricket for Leigh Park Cricket Club, which was based on the common opposite the tavern, and used his county contacts to arrange matches against teams led by former teammates, such as Neville Rogers. He gave up his license on The Cricketer's Tavern in September 1959, relocating to Fareham with his wife and two children. Heath died at Fareham in March 1994.