heartfield made his first-class debut for surrey against sussex at the oval in 1860. he made nine further first-class appearances for the county, the last of which came against yorkshire. a bowler, he took 21 wickets at an average of 16.09, with best figures of 6/28. one of two five wicket hauls he took during his career, his best figures came against sussex in 1860 at the royal brunswick ground, hove. he also made a single first-class appearance for a new all england eleven against a new england eleven in 1862.