James Whitaker (cricketer)

John James Whitaker (born 5 May 1962 in Skipton, Yorkshire, England)[1] is an English former cricketer, who played in one Test and two ODIs for England in 1986.

James Whitaker

Personal information
Full name	John James Whitaker
Born	(1962-05-05) 5 May 1962 Skipton, North Yorkshire, England
Batting	Right-handed batsman
Bowling	Right-arm off break
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	England
Only Test (cap 524)	12 December 1986 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 95)	2 April 1987 v India
Last ODI	7 April 1987 v Pakistan
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1983–1999	Leicestershire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 1 2 315 282 Runs scored 11 48 17,198 7,770 Batting average 11.00 48.00 38.56 32.37 100s/50s –/– –/– 38/80 6/47 Top score 11 44* 218 155 Balls bowled – – 178 26 Wickets – – 2 – Bowling average – – 134.00 – 5 wickets in innings – – – – 10 wickets in match – n/a – n/a Best bowling – – 1/29 – Catches/stumpings 1/– 1/– 172/– 66/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 January 2012

Life and career

Whitaker was educated at Uppingham School and spent his whole career with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, and captained them from 1996 until he retired in 1999. In 1986, Whitaker was the leading English batsman in the national batting averages with 1,526 runs at 66 apiece. He was selected to go on the 1986-87 Ashes tour, and played one Test in Adelaide when Ian Botham was out injured. However, his form fell away sharply.[1]

He later became the coach and director of cricket at the club, before leaving in 2005. On 18 January 2008, Geoff Miller took over from David Graveney as the national selector, heading up a four-man panel which included Peter Moores, Whitaker and Ashley Giles.[2] He was England's chairman of selectors from 2013 to 2018.

See also

• One Test Wonder

References

1. Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. p. 186. ISBN 1-869833-21-X.
2. Graveney axed as England selector BBC News retrieved 18 January 2008