James Whitaker

Cricket speaker James Whitaker is a former county cricket player who retired in 1999 after more than fifteen years with Leicestershire. Since his retirement Whitaker has gone on to become a dedicated sports speaker and coach. Born in Yorkshire, James Whitaker joined Leicestershire in 1983 and remained with the club until his retirement, his long allegiance with the club has made him a popular cricket speaker at team and club events, he is regularly called upon to appear the clubs after dinner speakers’ functions and remembered fondly by many fans.

Despite appearing just once in an England Test match, standing in for the injured Ian Botham in Adelaide in 1985, Whitaker had a prolific domestic career, not only captaining Leicestershire for four years but also holding the leading national batting average with 1526 runs in 66 games. In his capacity as a cricket speaker, Whitaker not only recalls such career highlights but also comments upon the current state of both domestic and international cricket, providing his insight into batting styles and players’ talents as well as demonstrating his own genuine passion for the sport.

Following his retirement James Whitaker became a sports speaker and coach for the England national team, eventually leaving the squad in 2005. Alongside this Whitaker has become involved in the national team’s selection process and, in 2013, was made chairman of England’s selection committee; as such Whitaker is often called upon to appear on television and in the press and frequently discusses his duties and the prospects of the England national team in his work as an after dinner speaker.