Parks to take Sussex presidency

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Former England and Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman Jim Parks is set to become the county’s new president, subject to his proposal being approved at the AGM on Wednesday 27 March.

The 81-year-old played 46 Tests, from 1954 to 1968, in a first-class career that spanned from 1949 to 1976 and featured more than 36,000 runs.

Parks captained Sussex for five years before his departure to Somerset in 1972. He later worked as marketing manager at Hove in the 1990s and served as Sussex club president from 2003 to 2005.

Jim Parks, far right, is set to become Sussex president for a second time having occupied the position from 2003 to 2005

Parks, who is set to replace Bryan Bedson, said: "I feel very honoured to be invited to be president for the coming year, and look forward to what I hope will be a most successful season for the team."

Sussex chairman Jim May said: "Bryan Bedson has been an outstanding president for the past five years and has helped us improve the way Sussex is run.

"2013 is a very important year for us with a testimonial granted to the two Sussex Cricket charities. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of Sussex's triumph in the inaugural Gillette Cup final over Worcestershire, in which Jim Parks starred with the bat. We also have the Australians playing us in July at Hove and Jim is well respected by the Aussies.

"Jim Parks is an iconic Sussex cricketer and we are delighted that he has agreed to be nominated as president for us in 2013."

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