Born in Chesterford and raised on the cricket here, James has been a regular member of the team for the last decade. He represented Bishops Stortford College at 1^st XI level at school, and in 2001 took on the role as Sunday captain for Chesterfords which he relinquished at the end of the 2004 season. He is the current Saturday captain and a club selector.

As a batsman James is a solid middle order player. In recent seasons he has consistently scored runs for the club, often bailing the club out of trouble when collapses occur around him. He is a technically correct batsman with gritty determination. Not the greatest at getting started, he often looks scratchy but his ability and determination to stay in allow him to relax later in his innings and go on to score large totals. He has several club hundreds to his name.

James is also a very useful medium pace bowler, he is able to generate swing and bounce and can produce a tricky slower ball. He is a good all round fielder, with a safe pair of hands often found fielding in the covers or mid off area.