James Edward Charles Franklin, born on November 7, 1980, in Wellington, New Zealand, is a former professional cricketer who represented New Zealand in international cricket. Franklin was known for his abilities as a left-arm medium-fast bowler and later evolved into an effective all-rounder, especially in limited-overs cricket.
Franklin made his debut in international cricket at a young age in 2000-01. He played his first one-day international and two home Tests against Pakistan in the same season. Unfortunately, he struggled to make a significant impact and lost his place in the team after the Sharjah Cup in April 2002. Determined to make a comeback, Franklin focused on improving his neglected batting skills and worked on maintaining his fitness.
His hard work paid off when he was called up to the national side during the tour of England in 2004. Franklin, who was playing league cricket in Lancashire at the time, was included in the third Test at Trent Bridge. Although New Zealand lost the match, Franklin impressed with six wickets, five of them Test century-makers. He continued to perform well in the subsequent one-day series, earning the match award at Chester-le-Street for his remarkable figures of 5 for 42 as England were dismissed for a mere 101.
Franklin’s performances earned him a spot in the New Zealand squad for the tour of Bangladesh. During the tour, he achieved a memorable hat-trick in Dhaka. In March 2005, Franklin further showcased his skills by taking 6 for 119 against Australia. He continued to excel with his swing bowling, proving to be a formidable opponent for Sri Lanka and West Indies.
In April 2006, Franklin displayed his all-rounder capabilities with an unbeaten century (122) against South Africa in Cape Town. An unfortunate knee injury sidelined him for the 2006-07 season, and he underwent surgery to rectify a patella tendon injury. Franklin made a successful comeback, playing for Wellington in November and delivering a strong performance with 69 runs and 4 for 56.
Although Franklin struggled to secure a permanent place in the New Zealand team following his return, he regained a central contract in 2012. By this time, he had developed into a reliable all-rounder who could contribute with both bat and ball. Franklin was a crucial member of the New Zealand side that reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.
Middlesex signed Franklin in 2015 as an overseas player due to his Irish ancestry, effectively marking the end of his international career. He was appointed captain after Adam Voges’ call-up by Australia. Franklin led Middlesex to their first title in 23 years in 2016, securing the Championship with a contrived declaration against Yorkshire. Despite criticism, Franklin defended the team’s controversial decision, receiving widespread support.
Throughout his career, Franklin proved to be a versatile cricketer who could be relied upon to contribute in all formats of the game. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, he exhibited determination and perseverance, making a name for himself in New Zealand cricket. Today, James Franklin remains highly regarded for his contributions to the sport.
