Percy Goodman

Who was Percy Goodman?

Percy Arnold Goodman was a West Indian cricketer who toured with the both the first two touring sides to England in 1900 and 1906. He was one of the top West Indian batsmen of his day and was also a useful medium pace bowler, especially in his younger days. "A big finely-built man, Goodman perhaps carries a little more flesh than a cricketer would elect to bear in a hot climate."

He was educated at The Lodge School, Barbados and made his debut in important matches playing for Barbados as a 16 year old in the 1891-92 Tournament in Barbados, the precursor of the Inter-Colonial Tournament. He top scored with 74 in the match against Trinidad and in the Tournament took 17 cheap wickets in the 3 matches. In the 1893-94 Tournament match against Trinidad he took 10 wickets in the match for just 31 runs and scored 30 himself in his only innings when still only 18 years old.

His performances against Priestley's side and Lord Hawke's team in 1896-97 and in the Inter-Colonial Tournament led to his selection for 1900 tour. He was described before the 1900 tour as "Twenty five year of age. Good all-round cricketer, fine field in the slips. Member of the Pickwick Club". On the tour he was fourth in the batting averages at 28.15 but his bowling proved ineffective. He was said to have "a good defence and when a loose ball came along he hit it very hard".