Whitaker played his early county cricket at Derbyshire, but was unable to force his way into their starting eleven and was released at the end of the 1993 season.
[2] He had a successful debut, scoring 94 in Hampshire's first innings opening the batting alongside Paul Terry.
[1] Alongside a further appearance in the County Championship, Whitaker also made his debut in List A one-day cricket during the 1994 season, playing two matches in the 1994 Axa Equity & Law League.
[3] He established himself in the Hampshire side during the 1995 season, making thirteen first-class and fourteen one-day appearances.
[4] During the winter which followed the 1995 season, Whitaker played cricket in New Zealand, where he made six one-day appearances for Central Districts in the 1995–96 Shell Cup.