He played two first-class matches for Wellington in 1946-47 and was President of New Zealand Cricket from 1985 to 1987.
[1][2] John Oakley was born in Palmerston North and educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland, and Victoria University in Wellington, where he studied law.
His top score was 43 in the second innings of his debut match against Auckland, batting at number four.
[2] In 1986 he instigated the establishment of the New Zealand Cricket Museum in the old grandstand of the Basin Reserve.
[3] In the 1988 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to cricket.