George Giffen was arguably one of Australia's best all rounders, certainly during and around his playing days. He scored a century and took 10 wickets in a single match 9 times. Giffen was an attacking batsman and had a variety of strokes including powerful off and on drives. He possessed a superb slower ball that gave him many a caught and bowled victim during his first class and Test career.

George toured England 5 times during his career in 1882, 1884, 1886, 1893 and finally in 1896. In 1886, he topped the batting and bowling with superb performances and ended the season with 1,424 runs and 154 wickets. At the age of 44, he played against Victoria in Adelaide and scored 81 in the first innings and 97 not out in the second innings. Not happy with the batting, he went out and took 15 wickets in the match costing 185 runs. He was the first Australian to score 10,000 runs and take 1,000 wickets in first class cricket. Along with Sir Donald Bradman, George Giffen has the honour of having one of the main stands at the Adelaide Oval named after him.