Challen made his first-class debut for Sussex against Kent in 1848.
He made eighteen further first-class appearances for the county, the last of which came against Kent in 1857.
Due to incomplete records, his exact best figures are unknown.
[3] Challen also made a single first-class appearance each for the Players against the Gentlemen in 1854, and for England against the Marylebone Cricket Club in the same year.
His father, James Challen senior, played first-class cricket for Sussex.