Born in Hampshire in April 1919, Cannings joined the Palestine Police Force in 1938 and spent World War II in its service.
He was signed by Hampshire in 1950 and played first-class cricket for the county until 1959, forming a potent bowling partnership with Derek Shackleton.
The son of Fred Cannings, a farm carter,[1] he was born in the Hampshire village of Bighton in April 1919, where he was educated locally at Old Alresford.
While studying at Guildford, Cannings played cricket for the Young Players of Surrey, a side which featured the Bedser twins, Alec and Eric.
[3] After finding employment working on a high-speed lathe,[2] Cannings joined the Palestine Police Force in 1938, serving with them throughout World War II.
[3] He was recommended by a major that he had served alongside at Nazareth to Warwickshire, who signed for Cannings for the 1947 season, with his £5 per week deal being completed at Paddington station.
[3] His made his debut in first-class cricket in the County Championship against Northamptonshire at Northampton, taking 2 wickets with his medium pace bowling.
[8] Cannings was signed by Hampshire as a replacement for veteran bowlers George Heath and Lofty Herman, who had recently retired.
[5] Cannings continued his bowling partnership with Shackleton into 1951, with Barclays World of Cricket describing them as "already one of the best opening attacks in the country".
[8] He had notable moments with the bat, including in 1950 when he and Charles Knott steered Hampshire from 141 for 9 to 152 all out to record a tied match, the 26th such occurrence in first-class cricket at the time.
Cannings was once more involved in a tied match in 1955 against Sussex, coming to wicket with Peter Sainsbury when Hampshire were 84 for 8 in pursuit of 140 for victory.
[16] Cannings made additional first-class appearances in the 1950s for T. N. Pearce's XI against Essex at Chelmsford in 1952, and for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Scotland at Edinburgh in 1959.