Will Jarman – An Old School Style of Opener
Parramatta District Cricket Club | January 15, 2026
Left-handed opening batsman and part time finger spinner Will Jarman graduated from the Parramatta Cricket Academy and into the A.W. Green Shield ranks in seasons 2017/18 and 2018/19 – compiling 147 runs @ 29.40 (highlighted by a classy 82 v. Mosman) – he was also the team captain in 2018/19.
Will is a stylish batsman, exemplifying the qualities found in traditional openers. He demonstrates the patience to wear down the new ball attack, maintains an overall solid technique, good array of attacking shots all buttressed by a well-organised and tight defence, attributes essential for success in this pivotal role. He is also a very diligent trainer and works hard at improving his batting. Plus, he is a more than useful fieldsman owning a safe pair of hands.
The 2018/19 season proved to be a praiseworthy entry into the NSW Premier Cricket ranks for Will Jarman. Not only was he captain of the A.W. Green Shield team he kicked off his senior career in Fifth grade in rousing fashion in round 2 against Campbelltown by blazing a maiden century (137) and in the process setting a new Parramatta Fifth grade 1st wicket partnership record of 224 runs with Joel Mercer. This form saw Will immediately elevated to Fourth grade and continued success led to him being promoted to Third grade – in his initial season he demonstrated rich potential making a total of 477 runs (5ths – 147, 4ths – 174, 3rds – 156) @ 34.07.
Another ‘feather in his cap’ during that 2018/19 season was that he joined a rare band of Parramatta players who’ve played Poidevin-Gray Shield in the same season as they were still appearing in A.W. Green Shield, these players were: Richie Benaud, Warwick Dunn, John Benaud, Rex Flindt, John Beadsell and Greg Matthews.
Over the next couple of seasons Will continued to develop and hone his game, mainly in Third grade, where he was the team’s top run-scorer in 2019/20 with 345 runs @ 25.00 (H.S. – 89 v. Sutherland, 55 v. North Sydney).
The 2022/23 season brought another great ‘leap forward’ in Will’s career, he came of age as a Second grade opening batsman. He batted with consistency, confidence and purpose to amass an impressive 541 runs @ 36.07 (H.S. – 126 v. Northern District, (99 v. Mosman, 69 v. North Sydney, 61 v. Campbelltown). Along the way Will demonstrated the temperament needed to construct major partnerships, as illustrated below:
· 181 v. 1st wicket – with Zac Johns v. North Sydney.
· 167 v. 3rd wicket – with Zac Johns v. Mosman.
· 114 v. 4th wicket – with Zac Johns.
Solid Second grade form saw Will become Parramatta District Cricket Club’s First grade Player Number: 622 in 2023/24.
Overcoming a form slump in the 2024/25 season, Will has been back to his prolific best in the first half of the current season. His Second grade performances have been outstanding – 330 runs @ 66.00 – highlighted by a dominating 149* v. UNSW, 74 v. Hawkesbury, 41* Sydney University. In the match against Sydney University Parramatta were chasing Uni’s total of 146 and Will Jarman shared an unbroken 1st wicket partnership of 150 runs with Kashvi Gunawardane to win the match. Will’s hot form has won him back a First grade berth and he could cement a spot in the top grade if a solid 40 v. Sydney is any indication.
Will Jarman has the batting credentials to become a fine First grade opening batsman – time will tell.
By Tom Wood – Parramatta District Cricket Club Historian
BeaconPoint Spotlight with Paul Ryan – Batting Techniques, Accountability, and the Future of Australian Cricket
