Barry Wood

Barry Wood, born on December 26, 1942, in England, is an English former cricketer who excelled both in his home country and on the international stage. Wood began his professional cricket career playing for the Yorkshire Club when he made his first-class debut and history in the world of English cricket. He then moved to the Lancashire Cricket Club when he began competing with England’s international team. He switched clubs two more times and played for the Derbyshire Club at the time of his retirement from professional cricket. Help us celebrate the iconic cricketer’s birthday here today!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Barry Wood

Nickname:

Wood, Sawdust

Birth date:

December 26, 1942

Age:

81

Zodiac Sign:

Capricorn

Height:

5' 6"

Net Worth:

$2.4 million

Background

Barry Wood was born on December 26, 1942, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England. He was a former domestic and international English cricket batsman. There are no known details about his family or childhood. It is known that Wood made his cricket first-class debut for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1964 when he was 22. Because of limited opportunities for career advancement within the Yorkshire Club, Wood moved teams two years later and joined the Lancashire County Cricket Club, for which he played for 14 years.

During his time with the Lancashire Club, he was considered one of the most valuable players in its history, especially in one-day matches. The Lancashire Club won a total of six one-day cricket league trophies over six years between 1969 and 1975 when Wood was a member of the team. In 1972, Wood played his first international game, a three-day test match against the Australian men’s cricket team. He was selected to play for England in the first Cricket World Cup in 1975.

As a result of his stellar performance in the 1972 test, he was selected as part of England’s team for their tests against Pakistan and India. His final test match was against Pakistan in 1978. In 1980, he switched domestic clubs again — this time joining the Derbyshire County Cricket Club. After one year with the club, he was elected as the team’s captain. He played for the club for three years, leaving the club in 1983. In 1986, he began playing for the Cheshire County Cricket Club, for which he played for three years before finally retiring.

Career timeline

1964
Wood Makes His World-Class Debut

The batsman joins the Yorkshire Club as a professional athlete.

1972
His First International Game

Wood becomes an international cricketer when he competes against the Australian cricket team.

1975
He Plays in the Cricket World Cup

The cricketer participates in the first-ever Cricket World Cup.

1978
His Last Test Match

Wood plays his last three-day game against Pakistan.

1981
He is Voted as Captain

Wood is elected as team captain in the Derbyshire Club.

1986
He Switches Clubs for the Last Time

The cricketer makes his last cross-club switch to the Cheshire Club.

Why We Love Barry Wood

  1. He inspired young cricketers

    Wood was such an excellent batsman that he inspired future cricket players. This was evident when his son Nathan followed in his footsteps.

  2. He kept politics out of cricket

    Many professional athletes find themselves embroiled in club and team drama but Wood wasn’t interested in that. As captain for the Derbyshire club, he made sure the team focused on the sport and not interpersonal relationships. Fellow cricketer John Hampshire once said he joined the Derbyshire Club when Wood was captain because “it wasn’t a political club.”

  3. He didn’t badmouth teammates or competitors

    Wood was never one to disparage either members of his team or members of competing teams, unlike many athletes. Wood has always spoken highly of other cricketers, even saying that several opposition bowlers were part of “an era of stupendous pace-men” and reminiscing about his Lancashire team being “great.”

5 Surprising Facts

  1. Wood made Roses history

    Wood was the first Yorkshire Club cricketer to score two Roses (named after the Yorkshire and Lancashire Club emblems) hundreds.

  2. He made history in English cricket

    Wood won more Man of the Match gold awards during the 1970s than any other cricket player in English cricket history.

  3. He played football too

    In addition to cricket, Wood was a successful football (soccer) player.

  4. He scored almost 13,000 runs

    He managed 63 runs for Yorkshire and scored nearly 13,000 runs for it and Lancashire.

  5. Like father, like son

    Wood’s son Nathan likewise became a cricketer and played for Lancashire.

Barry Wood FAQs

Is Barry Wood related to Reginald Wood?

No, they are not blood relatives.

What was Barry Wood’s position in cricket?

His position was right-hand bat and right-arm medium.

What happened to Barry Wood’s teeth?

The cricketer was born with his trademark gap.

Barry Wood’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2024December 26Thursday
2025December 26Friday
2026December 26Saturday
2027December 26Sunday
2028December 26Tuesday

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