Second-team champion who has made his mark in the firsts
James Wharton etched his name into the record books alongside some of the game’s greats in late 2024, capping a season that he won’t forget in a hurry.
Wharton, now aged 24, scored two centuries to help Yorkshire win promotion to Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.
His first was 188 at the start of July against Derbyshire at Chesterfield, helping Yorkshire to a crucial victory. The second was 285, posted during the final round draw against Northamptonshire at Headingley to help seal promotion. During that final round innings, he also hit the run which confirmed the county’s promotion.
His innings was the fifth highest individual first-class score ever at Headingley. Only Darren Lehmann, John Edrich and Sir Don Bradman (two triple Test centuries) have scored more in a first-class innings at Headingley.
Wharton contributed 833 runs in nine Championship matches last summer – the second-best return in Yorkshire’s squad – and 1,196 across all competitions.
It was without doubt a breakthrough campaign for the tall Huddersfield-born right-hander, despite previous flashes of excellence, including a superb 111 not out in a 2023 Vitality Blast win over Worcestershire at Headingley.
In 2022, he starred as the second team won their Championship title.
He contributed 493 runs, including two centuries, to that success. The last of those tons came during the title-clinching draw at Kent in September. During a disappointing T20 campaign team wise for the seconds, he also claimed a hat-trick with his off-spinners in a game against Derbyshire.
Wharton debuted for the first team during a Vitality Blast match against Lancashire at Headingley in 2020.
Going back to 2023, Wharton also shared a remarkable unbroken first-wicket stand of 257 with Will Luxton in a second-team T20 friendly win over the South Asian Cricket Academy.
A product of the Scholes club, he first represented Yorkshire at Under 14s level and has gone on to captain the Academy. He also led the second team five times in 2022.
He signed a new contract ahead of 2025, committing him to Yorkshire until the end of 2027.
UPDATED: Feb 2025.
