Jimmy Adams

James Clive "Jimmy" Adams (born 9 January 1968) is a former Jamaican cricketer, who represented the West Indies as player and captain during his career. He was a steady left-handed batsman, useful left-arm orthodox spin bowler and good fielder, especially in the gully position. He was also an occasional wicketkeeper when required. He was the head coach of Kent County Cricket Club for five seasons between 2012 and October 2016.

Adams was called into the Jamaican squad for the 1984/85 season as a teenager and enjoyed a good if unspectacular start to his first-class career, although it wasn't until the 1991/92 season that he was called into the West Indies Test squad for the first time, making his debut against South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados. In his opening twelve matches Adams scored 1,132 runs at a batting average of near 87, a record bettered only in the history of Test cricket by Australian Sir Donald Bradman. In the first half of his Test career, Adams averaged 61.34 compared to 25.58 in the second half, this differential is the largest in Test history. In the mid-1990s he began to struggle at international level. In a tour match against Somerset, he was hit by a bouncer by bowler Andre van Troost, shattering his cheekbone.

Adams was appointed as West Indies captain in 2000, replacing Brian Lara. He would not last long, leading the team to a 5–0 series loss on the 2000/01 tour of Australia; after the tour he lost both the captaincy (to Carl Hooper) and his place in the national team. News of his impending termination was broken to Adams by friend and national TV reporter, Peter Furst. The ever-cool Jamaican simply responded, ¨Have you heard something I haven't?¨ He then reflected on his career, saying that whatever happened it had all been a blessing – both the good and bad. Adams´ grace in the face of what would crush many a lesser person reflects the nature of the man; a cricketer whose best attributes can never be recorded on the score sheets.

He continued his cricket career for a couple of years after this, captaining South African provincial team Free State and making guest appearances for Lashings World XI in England. He retired from all cricket in 2004 after a twenty-year career, ending with a Test batting average of 41.26 with a highest score of 208 not out against New Zealand at St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda in 1995. In 2005 and 2006 he played for Dunstall CC in the Derbyshire League.

He was head coach at Kent County Cricket Club for five seasons between 2012 and 2016.

Tests

Test Debut: vs South Africa, Bridgetown, 1991/92
Last Test: vs Australia, Sydney, 2000/01

• Adams' best Test batting score of 208 not out was made against New Zealand, St. John's, 1995/96
• His best Test bowling figures of 5 for 17 came against New Zealand, Bridgetown, 1995/96
• His Test captaincy record was: 15 matches, 4 wins, 8 losses, 3 draws

One Day International

ODI Debut: vs Pakistan, Sydney, 1992/93
Last ODI: vs Australia, Melbourne, 2000/01

• Adams' best ODI batting score of 82 was made against Australia, Port of Spain, 1998/99
• His best ODI bowling figures of 5 for 37 came against Pakistan, Adelaide, 1996/97
• His ODI captaincy record was: 26 matches, 10 wins, 14 losses, 2 no result

First-class

• Adams' best first-class batting score was 208 not out
• His best first-class bowling figures were 5 for 17

List A Limited Overs

• Adams' best List A batting score was 112
• His best List A bowling figures were 5 for 36