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Full name James Michael Parks
Born October 21, 1931, Haywards Heath, Sussex
Current age 76 years 278 days
Major teams England, Somerset, Sussex
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
Relations Father - JH Parks, Uncle - HW Parks, Son - RJ Parks

Batting and fielding averages

Mat

Inns

Runs

Ave

100

Tests

1962

108*

32.16

103

First-class

739

1227

172

36673

205*

34.76

213

1087

List A

132

123

2832

102*

26.22

113

Bowling averages

Mat

Inns

Balls

Runs

Wkts

BBI

BBM

Ave

Econ

Tests

1/43

51.00

5.66

54.0

First-class

739

3837

2235

3/23

43.82

3.49

75.2

List A

132

Career statistics

Test debut

England v Pakistan at Manchester, Jul 22-27, 1954 scorecard

Last Test

West Indies v England at Bridgetown, Feb 29-Mar 5, 1968 scorecard

Test statistics

First-class span

1949 - 1976

List A span

1963 - 1975

Jim Parks was a multitalented cricketer, initially as a batsman and in latter years as an outstanding batsman-wicketkeeper. His father, also Jim, had been a Sussex stalwart between the wars and had played once for England, but young Jim soon established himself in his own right.

He made his debut in 1949 as a batsman who could also bowl decent offspin and was also an outstanding fielder. His Test debut in 1954 was as a specialist batsman but it was only when he took up wicketkeeping that his international career took off. That he did so was through necessity as Sussex were in need of a keeper and Parks volunteered; he was a natural. Within 18 months he had been recalled by England and he remained a mainstay of the side for much of the 1960s.

Parks captained Sussex in 1967 and 1968, making the third of his four Lord's final appearances in the second season, and at the end of 1972 he left Hove and joined Somerset on a three-year contract.

He later worked for Whitbread and as a marketing manager for Sussex. He also managed the Old England cricket team for several years. .
Martin Williamson



Jim Parks © Sussex County Cricket Club



Jim Parks © Sussex County Cricket Club

Jan 23, 1965

Jim Parks dives to catch Graeme Pollock off John Price © Cricinfo Ltd

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