- Aged just 7, began playing cricket for Ossett CC U13’s V’s Netherton CC U13’s in 1988 scoring 3 not out!
- Aged 11, represented Wakefield Schools District U13’s team.
- Aged 12, was selected for Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association under 13’s at scoring 65 on debut V’s Cheshire at Bramham CC in 1993
- In 1994 scored 1st ever Century. Yorkshire U13’s V’s Cumbria U13’s at Addingham CC. Later that year scored 1st ever senior century for Ossett Cricket Club 2nd X1 against Morley scoring 127 not out.
- Went on to represent Yorkshire Schoolboys at every age group from U13 to U19 breaking numerous batting records along the way, many of which still stand to this day.
- In 1995 was selected for The North of England U14 team, then later that year the full England U14 team.
- Went on to represent England Schoolboys at every age group from U14 to U19.
- After completing a 2 year scholarship in 1996, signed a 2 year Academy contract with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1998, before being upgraded the following year and signing 1st professional contract at the age of 17.
- Played for the England U19 team in 2 home series against Sri Lanka in 1999 and the West Indies in 2000. Played for England U19s in two overseas tours, firstly touring Sri Lanka for the Under 19 World cup in 1999 and then touring India in 2000.
- In 2000, won the Huddersfield league Sykes Cup for the 1st time, then won it again in 2001 with Kirkburton.
- Was awarded 2nd X1 Cap for Yorkshire CCC in August 2002 after a string of consecutive high performances that season, including 4 centuries.
- Signed for Leicestershire CCC for the start of the 2003 season.
- Made First Class Championship debut for Leicestershire CCC against Kent at Canterbury in the 1st game of the 2003.
- Made limited overs debut for Leicestershire CCC against Kent at Canterbury in the 1st One-Day game of the 2003 season.
- Scored maiden First Class Century for Leicestershire CCC against Surrey at Grace Road in July 2003 scoring 145.
- Scored century against champions Sussex at Hove the same year again scoring 145.
- Won Twenty/20 Cup with Leicestershire for the 1st time in 2004 at Edgbaston defeating Surrey in the final.
- Scored career best Twenty/20 score of 73 V’s Durham at the Riverside in June 2005.
- Broke his collar bone batting against Brett Lee in a tour match against Australia, one week before the 1st test of the 2005 Ashes series. Missed the rest of that season due to that injury.
- Won Twenty/20 Cup with Leicestershire for the 2nd time in 2006 at Trent Bridge defeating Nottingham in the final, televised on Sky Sports. See gallery.
- Scored 92 and 51 in tour match against Pakistan in 2006.
- In 2006, he scored over 1000 First Class runs for the first time, at an average of 48.80. He scored eight fifties and a century; 128 not out against Essex at Grace Road.
- Scored maiden One Day limited overs century in 2007 for Leicestershire CCC scoring 113 not out against Derbyshire at Grace Road. In the process set a new record for the highest 2nd wicket partnership for Leicestershire Vs Derbyshire with John Maunders scoring 109 not out in an unbroken partnership of 229 runs in 38 overs.
- Scored career highest score to date scoring 194 for Leicestershire CCC 2nd X1 V’s Northamptonshire 2nd X1 at Stowe School.
- Signed a 2 year contract with Derbyshire CCC for the start of the 2008 season.
- After 3 seasons with Derbyshire CCC finished playing full time professionally at the end of the 2010 season.
- Last First Class match was against Middlesex at Lords, June 2010.
- Last delivery faced in professional cricket was a Twenty/20 match against Lancashire CCC at Chesterfield. Sweeping a six to win the match, before breaking and dislocating finger the next day in the 2nd team and not playing again.
- Played 3 limited overs matches for Suffolk CCC in 2011 scoring 140 in 1st match V’s Berkshire at Thames on Valley CC.
- Played and captained Hoylandswaine Cricket Club in the Drakes Huddersfield Premier league. League top scorer in 2011 with 1458 runs averaging 66.27 including 4 centuries. Won the league in 2012 and Black Sheep Trophy in 2013.
- December 2013, achieved Level Four qualification in Cricket Coaching after two years of studying.
- February 2014 - today, currently enjoying the full time post as Elite Batting Coach at Derbyshire CCC.
- Currently playing and captaining Ossett Cricket Club when possible in the Central Yorkshire League, Premier Division.
John Sadler
