George Macaulay played first-class cricket professionally for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1920 to 1935, representing England in eight Test matches. He took 1,838 first-class wickets with an average of 17.64, including four hat-tricks. Originally a fast bowler, he later added off spin to his bowling and was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1924. An injury in the late 1920s reduced his form but he recovered in the early 1930s and returned to the England team before retiring from first-class cricket in 1935.