He was a member of the England team which played in the first two Test matches, retrospectively recognised.

Born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, Greenwood has been described as small in height, but a gutsy batsman, who was also noted for his fielding in the deep.

[2] He played his first-class cricket for Yorkshire from 1869 to 1880,[3] but is best known as a member of James Lillywhite's team which toured Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77.

[4] Greenwood made his career highest score of 111 when he opened the innings for the United North of England Eleven (UNEE) against the United South of England Eleven (USEE) at the Fartown Ground in Huddersfield on 13–15 July 1876.

[5] Greenwood later suffered severely from rheumatism, and died of tuberculosis in Huddersfield in February 1889, aged 41.