He made his Test debut in Auckland against Pakistan later in the year, collecting a pair and taking two wickets.

Franklin played county cricket for Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Middlesex.

On 6 February 2015, it was announced that James Franklin had signed for Middlesex, initially on a two-year contract, effectively retiring from international cricket.

[2] After four seasons, in which their high point was reaching the final of the 2021 Royal London One-Day Cup, he stepped down in September 2022.

[2] He replaced Dale Steyn as the fast bowling coach of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.