Jim Parks, Jr.

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = ENG
name = Jim Parks
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Legbreak
tests = 46
test runs = 1962
test bat avg = 32.16
test 100s/50s = 2/9
test top score = 108*
test balls = 54
test wickets = 1
test bowl avg = 51.00
test 5s = -
test 10s = -
test best bowling = 1/43
test catches/stumpings = 103/11
FCs = 739
FC runs = 36673
FC bat avg = 34.76
FC 100s/50s = 51/213
FC top score = 205*
FC balls = 3837
FC wickets = 51
FC bowl avg = 43.82
FC 5s = -
FC 10s = -
FC best bowling = 3/23
FC catches/stumpings = 1087/94
debut date = 22 July
debut year = 1954
last date = 1 February
last year = 1968
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/18435.html

James ("Jim") Michael Parks (born October 21, 1931) was a successful English cricketer.

Jim Parks was born in Haywards Heath, Sussex. He came from a cricketing family. His father Jim Parks senior was a prolific all-rounder for Sussex and played once for England in 1937. Jim lost his mother when he was six and his father replied by performing the 'double' by scoring over 3,000 runs and taking over 100 wickets.

Jim was an attacking batsman, athletic fieldsman and a spin bowler who made his first-class debut for Sussex in 1949. He later made a successful switch to wicketkeeping.

He played 46 Test matches for England between 1954 and 1967/1968. He scored 1962 runs with a personal best of 108. He took 103 catches and made 11 stumpings.

He captained Sussex from 1967 to 1968, when he was succeeded by Mike Griffith.

He left Sussex following the 1972 season and joined Somerset on a three year contract. He retired from first-class cricket in 1976. In 739 first-class matches, he scored 36673 runs at an average of 34.76, with 51 hundreds and 213 fifties. He took 1087 catches and made 92 stumpings. He took 51 wickets, with a personal best of 3/23.

He later worked for Whitbread and as a marketing manager for Sussex CCC. He has managed an Old England cricket team for several years.

His son Bobby played county cricket for Hampshire CCC and Kent CCC.