[1] Jarman was born in Hindmarsh, South Australia, and later attended the Thebarton Technical High School.

[7][8] Fourteen months and seven first-class matches later he was selected in the Australian team touring New Zealand, where he played in the unofficial Test series.

He made two runs, took three catches and held his spot until Grout returned for the Fourth Test.

Following Grout's retirement in 1966, Jarman became the first-choice wicket-keeper, playing in series against India, England and West Indies.

In first-class cricket, he scored 5,615 runs at an average of 22.73 and took 431 catches and 129 stumpings in 191 matches, a wicket-keeping record bettered at the time among Australians only by Grout and Bert Oldfield.