Whiteley was a right arm off spin bowler and a right-handed batsman. He played forty five first-class matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1978 to 1982, and in six List A one day games in 1981. He took seventy first-class wickets at an average of 34.42, with a best return of 4 wickets for 14 runs against Nottinghamshire, and he made a top score of 20, against Northamptonshire.
