After several years in the county's Second XI, Wilkinson made his first-class debut for Worcestershire against Somerset at Weston-super-Mare in early August 1969, scoring 1 in his only innings and holding three catches.
However, he did manage what proved to be his only five-wicket innings haul in first-class cricket when he claimed 5–60 against Sussex at Worcester in late August.
[5] He also made his highest List A score of 95 in this period, this innings coming in July 1974 in a Gillette Cup quarter-final against Nottinghamshire.
The statistical highlight of his summer was the second and final first-class century, 102 (albeit in an ultimately losing cause) against Kent in June.
Wilkinson's last first-team game was a John Player League match against Somerset at Taunton on 14 September 1975: he scored 0* and held one catch, to dismiss Ian Botham.