Harry Parks (cricketer)

Harry Parks
Personal information
Born(1906-07-18)18 July 1906
Haywards Heath, Sussex
Died7 May 1984(1984-05-07) (aged 77)
Taunton, Somerset
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 483
Runs scored 21,725
Batting average 33.57
100s/50s 42/106
Top score 200*
Balls bowled 1,208
Wickets 13
Bowling average 54.23
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 2/37
Catches/stumpings 195/–
Source: CricketArchive, 11 September 2025

Henry William Parks (18 July 1906 – 7 May 1984) was an English cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman whose first-class career with Sussex lasted from 1926 to 1948.[1] In 483 matches he scored 21,725 runs at an average of 33.57, with 42 centuries and a highest score of 200 not out. He scored 1000 runs in a season 14 times, with a best of 2,122 in 1947. Before World War Two he was a middle-order batsman, but after it he became John Langridge's opening partner.[2]

He was a member of a notable cricketing family, being the brother of Jim Parks senior and the uncle of Jim Parks junior. He stood as a first-class umpire in 1949 and 1950, and played one match for the Commonwealth XI in India in 1949–50, his last first-class match.[3][4]

In late 1950, Parks was appointed coach of Somerset, serving in the role until 1953. In 1953, he was appointed as a coach at Taunton School.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Swanton, E. W. (11 May 1984). "Harry Parks dies at 77". The Daily Telegraph. p. 29. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Obituaries in 1984". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. 1985. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2025 – via ESPNcricinfo.
  3. ^ "Henry Parks". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  4. ^ "'Harry Parks' – one of a great cricketing family". The Cricketer. Vol. 65, no. 7. July 1984. p. 51. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Parks of Sussex - Appointment as Somerset cricket coach". Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald. 21 October 1950. p. 10. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ^ "New post for Harry Parks". South Wales Argus. 29 December 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 11 September 2025.