Full name James Graham Binks

Born October 5, 1935, Hull, Yorkshire

Current age 73 years 274 days

Major teams England, Yorkshire

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Legbreak

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Jimmy Binks was a fine county keeper who got only limited opportunities at Test level due to the presence of Godrey Evans and later Jim Parks in the England team. Unobtrusive, he rarely made a mistake, and was equally adept standing up to the spinners or back to pace. He was a useful lower-order bat with a highest score of 95. He kept exceptionally fit, and played in every Yorkshire championship match during his 14-year career. He missed just one match out of 492 played in those years. In 1960, he took 96 catches in the England season, a record that still stands. He played for England twice, called into the team touring India as a late replacement for Murray in 1963-64. In his first Test he conceded just two byes, took three catches, and made 55 when asked to open the batting in the second innings - helping save the match. He continued as opener in the next Test, and took five catches without conceding a bye in India's first innings. Parks took over for the next Test, and Binks returned to the county ranks for the rest of his career.
Dave Liverman

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1969

1967

Jimmy Binks

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