An aggressive right-handed batsman, occasional right-arm off spin bowler and specialist slip fielder, Adams enjoyed a successful first-class career for Derbyshire and Sussex. Adams made his first-class debut as an eighteen-year-old for Derbyshire in one match the 1988 season and stayed there until the 1997 season, when he left to join Sussex as captain. He is the longest serving county captain in Sussex's history. He captained Sussex to the 2003, 2006 and 2007 County Championship titles, and was one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2004 for his efforts in the previous calendar year. He had a brief career at international level for England, playing five Tests and five One-day Internationals between May 1998 and January 2000. He made his Test debut in 1999 against South Africa at Johannesburg, and came to the crease for his maiden Test innings to face Allan Donald on a hat-trick, with England in the perilous position of four wickets down for two runs; he successfully negotiated the hat-trick, but was caught behind off Donald in both innings, for 16 and 1. Failing to reproduce his domestic form, Adams averaged just 13 in Tests and 17.75 in ODIs. In a first-class career that ran from 1988 until 2008, Adams scored 19,535 runs, with an impressive 48 centuries and a highest score of 239. In late 2006, he agreed a four-year deal with Yorkshire to become both captain and director of professional cricket, but dramatically reversed this decision on 14 November, saying that he did not feel able to deal with such a role at this stage of his career. His change of heart left Yorkshire "shell-shocked" but Sussex "thrilled". Adams announced he was to step down as Sussex captain on 14 September 2008, guiding Sussex to the Pro40 Division One Title the same day. He subsequently announced his retirement from first-class cricket, upon his appointment as cricket manager of Surrey County Cricket Club On 17 June 2013, it was announced by Surrey County Cricket Club that Adams had been sacked, along with his first team coach Ian Salisbury.
Teams
International
England
English county
Sussex
Derbyshire
Career bests
Tests
Test Debut: vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1999/2000 Last Test: vs South Africa, Centurion, 1999/2000
Adams' best Test batting score of 31 was made against South Africa, Cape Town, 1999/2000
His best Test bowling figures of 1 for 42 came against South Africa, Durban, 1999/2000
