George Gunn Jr. (cricketer)

George Vernon Gunn (21 July 1905 – 15 October 1957) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire between 1928 and 1950. He was a right-handed middle-order batsman and a right-arm leg-break bowler.[1][2]

George Gunn
Personal information
Full name
George Vernon Gunn
Born(1905-07-21)21 July 1905
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England
Died15 October 1957(1957-10-15) (aged 52)
Shelton, Shropshire, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLeg-break
Relations
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1928–1950Nottinghamshire
FC debut7 July 1928 Notts v West Indians
Last FC12 August 1950 Notts v Derbyshire
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 266
Runs scored 10,337
Batting average 29.36
100s/50s 11/56
Top score 184
Balls bowled 20,473
Wickets 281
Bowling average 35.67
5 wickets in innings 9
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 7/44
Catches/stumpings 114/–

Early life and background edit

He was born in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire in 1905. His father, George Gunn, and an uncle, John Gunn, played cricket for Nottinghamshire and England. Another uncle, Ernest Stapleton, played once for Derbyshire.[1] He was generally known in his cricket career as George Gunn Jr or by his initials as G. V. Gunn.

Playing career edit

Gunn made his First-class cricket debut for Nottinghamshire in 1928 against the touring West Indians.[2] He received his county cap in 1931.[1]

In a match against Warwickshire in 1931, he and his father achieved the rare feat of a father and son both scoring centuries in the same innings. Gunn's century came in unusual circumstances as he was on 95 when play ended. Under the playing conditions of the time, an extra half-hour of playing time was allowed to decide a first innings result. This time had expired with Gunn five runs short of a century, however his batting partner, Charlie Harris, convinced Warwickshire captain Bob Wyatt to resume play to allow Gunn to reach his hundred. Gunn brought up his century in the second additional over.[3][4][5][6]

Later life and death edit

After retiring from playing, Gunn took up coaching in the north of England.[7] He served as an umpire in County Second XI cricket between 1953 and 1955.[8]

He died in hospital at Shelton, Shropshire in 1957 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash.[7][9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "George Gunn". CricketArchive. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b "First-Class Matches played by George Gunn". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire in 1931". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Obituary - George Gunn". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. 1959. Retrieved 30 March 2020 – via ESPNcricinfo.
  5. ^ Chandler, Martin. "George Gunn – Truly One Of A Kind". Cricket Web. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Gunn Family Record - Father and son each hit a century - Warwickshire captain's sportsmanship". Nottingham Evening Post. 25 July 1931. p. 6.
  7. ^ a b "Obituaries in 1957". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. 1958. Retrieved 30 March 2020 – via ESPNcricinfo.
  8. ^ "George Gunn as Umpire in Miscellaneous Matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  9. ^ "G. V. Gunn". The Times. 16 October 1957. p. 14.
  10. ^ "Ex-County cricketer fatally injured". The Times. 16 October 1957. p. 4.