Considering the family tradition, Dean Headley was perhaps always destined to play international cricket.
Grandfather George, who averaged over 60 in his 22 appearances, and dad Ron both represented the West Indies, each of them elegant batsmen. Dean, however, was different; born in Worcestershire, he played 15 Tests for England... as a seamer.
It didn't always seem like that would be the case. As a youngster it first appeared football could be Headley's chosen path, while even when cricket was his career of choice it must have felt like an international call-up may never come his way.
Eventually, finally, England took note of his performances for Kent, and the right-armer duly took eight wickets on debut, against Australia. His Ashes highlight, however, came at the end of the next year, in a magical match in Melbourne that saw the tourists in the field for over four hours in the last session
www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/16303/90...pened-todean-headley
