With many schools returning this week and with many next week, the last week has been busy with pre-season fixtures. In weather that can be best described as seasonal, chilly winds and April showers have tested the resolve of many. Perhaps the bravest were the 1st XIs of Oundle and Eastbourne, who managed a two-day game as a part of their preparations for the season.
The big cricketing news of the week is the publication of the new Wisden today (Thursday). It is interesting to note that the only domestic recipient of one of the five hallowed Wisden Cricketers of the Year played in the National Schools T20. Hasseb Hameed represented Bolton School, who reached finals day at Arundel, scoring a workmanlike 50, only to be beaten by eventual champions, Shrewsbury.
Will Bennison has been named the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year for 2026, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in English cricket. The honour, featured in the latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, recognises Bennison’s remarkable performances for St Peter’s School, York, where his consistency, skill, and leadership have made him a standout figure across recent seasons.
The Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year is an annual award from Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack honouring the best schoolboy or schoolgirl cricketer in the UK. First awarded in 2008, it recognises outstanding performance and leadership. Notable winners include Jonny Bairstow (2008)- also from St. Peter’s, James Taylor (2009), Jos Buttler (2010), and more recently, Jacob Bethell (2022), with many recipients later achieving success at both county and international level.
Bennison was chosen from a short list that also included Middlesex’s Seb Morgan and was presided over by Wisden Schools editor Rob Morris and members of the Schools Cricket Committee. It is usually awarded to a Year 13 pupil who has made a significant contribution to their school’s cricket programme. So far, all winners have been male and there has only been one state school recipient of the award. It is hoped in many quarters that with an increase in cricket being played by the state sector, especially at sixth form level, as well as by girls, this could change.
Bennison honed his all-round game over five years in the school’s First XI, scoring more than 3,750 runs at an average close to 50 and claiming 95 wickets at around 18 each. A composed right-hand batter and skilful leg-spinner, he earned a reputation for dominating matches with both bat and ball. His technique, temperament, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart from his peers, qualities that have now been recognised on the national stage.
The 2022 season was particularly impressive for Bennison, who scored nearly 1,300 runs and finished as the second-highest run-scorer nationally as a Year 10 pupil, trailing only that season’s Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year, Oliver Cox. His spectacular man-of-the-match performance in the National Schools U18 Boys T20 final at Lord’s in 2024 underlined his big-match temperament, with a sparkling innings of 97 and three wickets to help St Peter’s overcome tournament favourites, Millfield. Coaches and spectators alike hailed his all-round display as one of the finest in the competition’s history.
Beyond school cricket, Bennison’s rise has continued. He became a prolific run-scorer for the Yorkshire Academy and the Second XI, building a reputation as a dependable performer in high-pressure situations. His progress was rewarded in 2025 with a two-year rookie contract with Yorkshire, and he was also selected for England at the recent Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe.
Gareth Sharp, head of Cricket at St. Peter’s, has been with Bennison every step of the way as school coach, as well as the North regional coach at the 2022 Bunbury Festival, where Bennison was the leading batter. Sharp praised his combination of technical skill, mental strength, and adaptability, describing him as a player “able to read the game, lead by example, and bring out the best in those around him.” Even the legendary David “Bumble” Lloyd has taken note of Bennison’s potential, describing him as “a special, special talent”.
With his quiet confidence, elegant batting, and match-winning ability, Bennison has already demonstrated the qualities of a future professional star. His achievements embody the spirit of Wisden’s long-standing tradition of celebrating excellence in school cricket. This tradition continues to spotlight the next generation of English cricketers ready to make their mark on the game.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to an article that appeared recently in the Observer about state school cricket, click here. We are proud that many of the schools mentioned are once again participants in the National Schools T20 that gets underway this Sunday at Hurstpierpoint College as they take on Elizabeth College from Guernsey. The news and latest scores from the competition can be found on the competition Play Cricket website.
Results 16th April
Desert Springs Cricket 100 Tournament (100-ball)
Played over the Easter Weekend in Spain
Bloxham 56, Reed’s 57-4
Kingswood 75-5, Dean Close 78-4
Reed’s 92-4, St Paul’s 93-2
St Paul’s 128-7, Kingswood 93-6
Reed’s 96-4, Dean Close 93-6
Bloxham 94-5, St Paul’s 95-1
Kingswood 131-5, Bloxham 69-7
St Paul’s 146-3, Dean Close 123-6
Reed’s 115-4, Kingswood 111-4
Dean Close 136-1, Bloxham 94-4
St Paul’s win the tournament
Tuesday 7th April
St Paul’s 266-9 (50 ), Reed’s 112 (36 )
Wednesday 8th April
Shrewsbury* 399-7 (50) (G Battersby 159), Worksop 245
Radley* 151 (40), Hurstpierpoint 155-9
Thursday 9th April
Cheshire U18 191 (50), Shrewsbury 120
Radley 177*(50), Hurstpierpoint 181-7
King’s Worcester 149-3 (20), Bishop’s Stortford College* 126
Friday 10th April
King’s Worcester 321-6 (40) (S Essenhigh 124), Berkhamsted* 235-9
Hurstpierpoint 229-6 (40), Radley* 203
Shrewsbury* 316-6 (50) (L Yahathugoda 120*), Worcestershire Academy 191
Trent 180-9 (40), Bradfield 181-2
Saturday 11th April
Repton 230 (50), Merchant Taylors’, Northwood* 188
Charterhouse* 248-6 (50) (O Webster 100 ret.), Whitgift 252-4 (K Mahmood 105*)
Reigate Grammar 185-7 (40), Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 2nd XI* 122
KCS Wimbledon 150-5 (20), Bradfield* 150
Bradfield 175-7 (20), Bradfield * 175
Sunday 12th April
Middlesex U 18 133-9 (20), Repton 139-4
Repton 145-8 (20), Merchant Taylors’, Northwood* 20-3 – abandoned
Shenfield HS 194-8 (30), Bradfield* 175-9
Oundle* 279-9 dec., and 128-6 dec., Eastbourne 175-9 dec. and 128 – Two day game
Monday 13th April
Queen Ethelburga’s* 119-5 (15), AKS Lytham 120-4
Oundle 2nd XI 252-5 (35), Wymondham 149
Tuesday 14th April
Radley 307-9 (50), Charterhouse* 308-9 (O Gibson 135)
Wednesday 15th April
Culford136-1 (20), Bedford Modern 90
Reading 89 (20), Watford GS 92-1
RGS, High Wycombe 106-4 (20), Dr Challoner’s GS 107-6
St Benedict’s 130-7 (20), Gordon’s 131-5
Whitgift 96 (20), Bede’s 100-2
Shrewsbury 169 (50), MCC 2-0 – abandoned
Alleyn’s 102-7 (20), Dulwich 107-2
Girls
Millfield 210-3 (20), Ryde 65-8
Buckinghamshire U18 176-6 (20), Berkhamsted* 65
Charterhouse* 132-9 (30), Guildford CC U18 133-5
Oundle* 195-3 (20), Eastbourne 39-7
Shrewsbury 194-4 (25), Alberbury CC Severn Sapphires 52-2 – abandoned
Bexley CC U18 132-3 (20), Bradfield 133-8
Shrewsbury 134-4 (18) Shropshire Women’s 1st XI 106-4
Alleyn’s 112 (30), Bradfield 113-3
Shrewsbury 96-6 (20), Staffordshire Women’s 1st XI 100-2
Oundle 143-4 (100-ball), Wymondham 72-8
Wymondham 74-4 (100-ball), Oundle 75-1
St Edward’s 135 (20), Wellington College 17-0 – abandoned