Billy Godleman
Encyclopedia
Billy Ashley Godleman is an English
cricketer
. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm leg-spin bowler.
. His father is a London cab
driver. During 2004, Godleman was named Bunbury Under-15 player of the year. David English
rated him as the best English Under-15 batsman for at least 10 years, and said that he would put money on Godleman playing Test cricket for the England cricket team. Godleman went on to play in England
's Under-16 tour to South Africa
.
debut for Middlesex
on 1 June 2005, playing against Cambridge UCCE at Fenner's
. Also making his first-class debut in the match was Steven Finn
(born 4 April 1989). Finn and Godleman became the two youngest first-class debutants for the county, beating the record set by 16-year-old Fred Titmus
in June 1949. Godleman did not bat in the first innings, but opened the batting in the second innings, scored an unbeaten
69. He continued to play for the Middlesex second XI in 2005 and 2006, and also played for Middlesex in four Twenty20 matches in 2006.
He played in three Under-19 Test matches against the Indian side that toured England in 2006, and in five Under-19 ODIs in Malaysia in early 2007.
Godleman played his second first-class match for Middlesex against Oxford UCCE at the Parks in April 2007, scoring 55 after opening both innings. He played his third first-class match in Middlesex's first match of the 2007 County Championship
, against Somerset
in Taunton
. Batting at number 5, he made 113*, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 80 with Owais Shah
(193) and then an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 193 with wicket-keeper
David Nash (100*), with the team declaring on 600-4. Somerset responded with a mammoth score of 850-7 declared, including a triple century for Justin Langer
, and the match was drawn.
In his next game, Godleman top-scored in the first innings, reaching 77 against Northamptonshire
at Lord's. At that point he had passed 50 in all five innings he had played in first class cricket, but his run came to an end in the second innings when he was lbw to Jason Brown
for 40.
and the two shared a relatively slow but prolific opening partnership which ended at 198 when Wakely departed for 112. Godleman fell soon after for 71 but England went on to amass 532 all out. Pakistan U19 were then bowled out for 214 and 260 resulting in England winning by an innings and 58 runs. The second test saw another good opening partnership of 95 and this time Godleman went on to make a U19 Test Match
century, eventually being caught out on 115. He was out in the second innings however for a duck as Pakistan went on to win the 2nd test by 3 wickets and level the series at 1-1.
The U19 One Day International series provided Godleman an opportunity to prove that he could score quickly as well as slowly, as he had batted in the Test series. He made a brisk 32*
in the first ODI as rain intervened and the match was abandoned as a no result, he then made a rather slow 29 runs off 43 balls in the low scoring second match, which saw Pakistan finish a remarkable game chasing 161 by just 1 wicket having recovered from 99-8.
The third ODI proved another disappointment for Godleman as he once again made it to the high 20s and once again got out. The fourth match proved to be his day however as he became the highest U19 run scorer for England in ODIs, passing names such as: Michael Vaughan
, Alastair Cook
, Nick Knight
and Marcus Trescothick
. He faced exactly half the balls in the innings (150 balls) and scored 149 not out, as Adam Lyth and himself took England to a massive score of 313-7.
Playing in his debut innings in a County Championship match against Hampshire, Billy scored 92 off 146 before being bowled by Danny Briggs
. After a disappointing start to the 2011 season when Billy averaged just 19, he was dropped from the LV County Championship team. On his recall, he made 39 and 130 at Grace Road vs Leicestershire CCC in July 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
cricketer
Cricketer
A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm leg-spin bowler.
Early life
Godleman was raised in IslingtonIslington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
. His father is a London cab
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
driver. During 2004, Godleman was named Bunbury Under-15 player of the year. David English
David English
David English may refer to:*Melvin Franklin , American bass singer*Sir David English , , British newspaper editor...
rated him as the best English Under-15 batsman for at least 10 years, and said that he would put money on Godleman playing Test cricket for the England cricket team. Godleman went on to play in England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's Under-16 tour to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Early Middlesex career
Godleman played for the Middlesex second XI in 2003 (aged 14) and 2004. He made his first-classFirst-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
debut for Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
on 1 June 2005, playing against Cambridge UCCE at Fenner's
Fenner's
Fenner's is the University of Cambridge's cricket ground.-History:Fenner's has hosted first-class cricket since 1848, and many of the world's great players have graced the wicket. The ground was established on land leased for the purpose by Francis Fenner, after whom the ground is named.Playing for...
. Also making his first-class debut in the match was Steven Finn
Steven Finn (cricketer)
Steven Thomas Finn is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler.Educated at Parmiter's School in Garston, at the age of 16 Finn became Middlesex County Cricket Club's youngest debutant in first-class cricket, beating the record set by Fred Titmus in 1949...
(born 4 April 1989). Finn and Godleman became the two youngest first-class debutants for the county, beating the record set by 16-year-old Fred Titmus
Fred Titmus
Frederick John Titmus MBE was an English cricketer, whose first-class career spanned five decades. Although he was best known for his off spin , he was an accomplished lower-order batsman who deserved to be called an all-rounder, even opening the batting for England on six occasions...
in June 1949. Godleman did not bat in the first innings, but opened the batting in the second innings, scored an unbeaten
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
69. He continued to play for the Middlesex second XI in 2005 and 2006, and also played for Middlesex in four Twenty20 matches in 2006.
He played in three Under-19 Test matches against the Indian side that toured England in 2006, and in five Under-19 ODIs in Malaysia in early 2007.
Godleman played his second first-class match for Middlesex against Oxford UCCE at the Parks in April 2007, scoring 55 after opening both innings. He played his third first-class match in Middlesex's first match of the 2007 County Championship
2007 English cricket season
The 2007 English cricket season began on Saturday 14 April 2007 with the match between MCC and the 2006 county champions Sussex at Lord's.-Roll of honour:Test series*England v West Indies: 4 Tests - England won 3–0....
, against Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
in Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
. Batting at number 5, he made 113*, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 80 with Owais Shah
Owais Shah
Owais Alam Shah is an English cricketer. A middle-order batsman, he played for Middlesex between 1996-2010, before joining Essex CCC in the winter of 2010. He has represented England in all forms of the games.Between 2001 and 2009, he played 71 ODIs and 17 Twenty20 Internationals...
(193) and then an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 193 with wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
David Nash (100*), with the team declaring on 600-4. Somerset responded with a mammoth score of 850-7 declared, including a triple century for Justin Langer
Justin Langer
Justin Lee Langer AM is a former international cricketer who represented Australia in 105 Test matches and the current Assistant Coach and Batting Coach of the Australian cricket team. A left-handed batsman, his opening partnership with Matthew Hayden was one of the most successful of all time...
, and the match was drawn.
In his next game, Godleman top-scored in the first innings, reaching 77 against Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the...
at Lord's. At that point he had passed 50 in all five innings he had played in first class cricket, but his run came to an end in the second innings when he was lbw to Jason Brown
Jason Brown (cricketer)
Jason Fred Brown is a cricketer who has previously played for Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, England A and Staffordshire.-Career:...
for 40.
England Under-19s
His form dropped slightly as he continued to make 40s and 30s but failed to convert to 50s and larger scores. He was given a chance to regain this lost form when Pakistan U19 toured England in August 2007. Godleman opened the innings with Alex WakelyAlex Wakely
Alex George Wakely is an English cricketer who currently plays for Northamptonshire and is a former captain of the England under-19s. He is a right-hand batsman, bowls off-breaks and sometimes medium bowling....
and the two shared a relatively slow but prolific opening partnership which ended at 198 when Wakely departed for 112. Godleman fell soon after for 71 but England went on to amass 532 all out. Pakistan U19 were then bowled out for 214 and 260 resulting in England winning by an innings and 58 runs. The second test saw another good opening partnership of 95 and this time Godleman went on to make a U19 Test Match
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
century, eventually being caught out on 115. He was out in the second innings however for a duck as Pakistan went on to win the 2nd test by 3 wickets and level the series at 1-1.
The U19 One Day International series provided Godleman an opportunity to prove that he could score quickly as well as slowly, as he had batted in the Test series. He made a brisk 32*
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
in the first ODI as rain intervened and the match was abandoned as a no result, he then made a rather slow 29 runs off 43 balls in the low scoring second match, which saw Pakistan finish a remarkable game chasing 161 by just 1 wicket having recovered from 99-8.
The third ODI proved another disappointment for Godleman as he once again made it to the high 20s and once again got out. The fourth match proved to be his day however as he became the highest U19 run scorer for England in ODIs, passing names such as: Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan
Michael Paul Vaughan OBE is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England. A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/3 Ashes, in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries...
, Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook
Alastair Nathan Cook, MBE is an English international cricket player. He is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England, where he is their ODI captain. Cook played for Essex's Academy and made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
, Nick Knight
Nick Knight
Nicholas Verity Knight is a former England cricketer. Knight's middle name was in honour of the 1930s English Test bowler Hedley Verity who was killed in World War II and is a distant family relation...
and Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Edward Trescothick MBE is an English cricketer. He plays first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club, and represented England in 76 Test matches and 123 One Day Internationals. A left-handed opening batsman, he made his first-class debut for Somerset in 1993 and quickly established...
. He faced exactly half the balls in the innings (150 balls) and scored 149 not out, as Adam Lyth and himself took England to a massive score of 313-7.
Move to Essex
Having moved to Essex on loan after losing his place in the Middlesex side, Godleman signed a three-year deal with the county in August 2009.Playing in his debut innings in a County Championship match against Hampshire, Billy scored 92 off 146 before being bowled by Danny Briggs
Danny Briggs
Danny Richard Briggs is an English cricketer who currently plays for Hampshire. He is a right-handed batsman and bowls slow left-arm orthodox....
. After a disappointing start to the 2011 season when Billy averaged just 19, he was dropped from the LV County Championship team. On his recall, he made 39 and 130 at Grace Road vs Leicestershire CCC in July 2011.