Ben Sears

{{short description|New Zealand cricketer (born 1998)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Ben Sears

| image = 2 10 Ben Sears (cropped).jpg

| caption = Sears playing for Yorkshire (2025)

| country = New Zealand

| fullname = Benjamin Vincent Sears

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|2|11|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Lower Hutt, New Zealand

| death_date =

| death_place =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm medium-fast

| role = Bowler

| club1 = Wellington

| year1 = 2018/19–present

| club2 = Yorkshire

| year2 = 2025

| club3 = Washington Freedom

| year3 = 2025

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2021–present

| onetest = true

| testdebutdate = 8 March

| testdebutyear = 2024

| testdebutagainst = Australia

| testcap = 287

| lasttestdate =

| lasttestyear =

| lasttestagainst =

| odidebutdate = 8 February

| odidebutyear = 2025

| odidebutagainst = Pakistan

| odicap = 220

| lastodidate = 5 April

| lastodiyear = 2025

| lastodiagainst = Pakistan

| odishirt = 14

| T20Idebutdate = 3 September

| T20Idebutyear = 2021

| T20Idebutagainst = Bangladesh

| T20Icap = 91

| lastT20Idate = 26 March

| lastT20Iyear = 2025

| lastT20Iagainst = Pakistan

| T20Ishirt = 14

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 1

| runs1 = 0

| bat avg1 = –

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 0*

| deliveries1 = 198

| wickets1 = 5

| bowl avg1 = 32.20

| fivefor1 = 0

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 4/90

| catches/stumpings1 = 1/–

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 4

| runs2 = 11

| bat avg2 = 11.00

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 6

| deliveries2 = 206

| wickets2 = 10

| bowl avg2 = 19.70

| fivefor2 = 2

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 5/34

| catches/stumpings2 = 1/–

| column3 = T20I

| matches3 = 20

| runs3 = 21

| bat avg3 = 10.50

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 7*

| deliveries3 = 378

| wickets3 = 22

| bowl avg3 = 23.77

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 3/22

| catches/stumpings3 = 2/–

| column4 =FC

| matches4 = 23

| runs4 = 263

| bat avg4 = 12.52

| 100s/50s4 = 0/0

| top score4 =41

| deliveries4 = 3,090

| wickets4 = 70

| bowl avg4 = 27.82

| fivefor4 = 2

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 6/43

| catches/stumpings4 = 13/–

| date = 26 May 2025

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/959769.html Cricinfo

}}

Benjamin Vincent Sears (born 11 February 1998) is a New Zealand cricketer who plays for the Wellington domestic cricket side. He made his international debut for the New Zealand cricket team in September 2021.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/959769.html |title=Ben Sears |access-date=24 October 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

Career

Sears father, Michael Sears was also a cricketer who played for Wellington in the 1990s.

Sears made his List A debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Ford Trophy on 24 October 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1160250.html |title=The Ford Trophy at Wellington, Oct 24 2018 |access-date=24 October 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} Prior to his List A debut, he was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-under-19-world-cup-2016/content/story/954823.html |title=NZ appoint Finnie as captain for Under-19 World Cup |access-date=24 December 2015 |work=ESPNCricinfo}} He made his first-class debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Plunket Shield season on 6 December 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1160287.html |title=Plunket Shield at Hamilton, Dec 6-9 2018 |access-date=6 December 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He made his Twenty20 debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Super Smash on 31 December 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1160504.html |title=8th Match (D/N), Super Smash at New Plymouth, Dec 31 2018 |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

In June 2020, he was offered a contract by Wellington ahead of the 2020–21 domestic cricket season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29312525/daryl-mitchell,-jeet-raval-finn-allen-major-domestic-moves |title=Daryl Mitchell, Jeet Raval and Finn Allen among major domestic movers in New Zealand |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=15 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/121831138/auckland-lose-jeet-raval-to-northern-districts-finn-allen-to-wellington-in-domestic-contracts |title=Auckland lose Jeet Raval to Northern Districts, Finn Allen to Wellington in domestic contracts |work=Stuff |access-date=15 June 2020}} In November 2020, Sears was named in the New Zealand A cricket team for practice matches against the touring West Indies team.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30300533/new-zealand-vs-west-indies,-2020-21-devon-conway-included-new-zealand-squad-face-west-indies |title=Devon Conway included in New Zealand A squad to face West Indies |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 November 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/nicholls-conway-and-young-to-face-west-indies-in-queenstown |title=Nicholls, Conway & Young to face West Indies in Queenstown |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184042/https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/nicholls-conway-and-young-to-face-west-indies-in-queenstown |url-status=dead }}

In August 2021, Sears was named in New Zealand's Twenty20 International (T20I) squads for their tour of Bangladesh,{{cite web |url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/t20-world-cup-squad-revealed-mcconchie-and-sears-called-up-for-bangladeshpakistan |title=T20 World Cup squad revealed: McConchie and Sears called up for Bangladesh/Pakistan |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810002637/https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/t20-world-cup-squad-revealed-mcconchie-and-sears-called-up-for-bangladeshpakistan |url-status=dead }} and their tour of Pakistan.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/black-caps/126013220/black-caps-announce-twenty20-world-cup-squad-two-debutants-for-leadup-tours-with-stars-absent |title=Black Caps announce Twenty20 World Cup squad, two debutants for leadup tours with stars absent |work=Stuff |access-date=9 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/new-zealand-stand-in-coach-glenn-pocknall-on-uncapped-fast-bowler-ben-sears-the-worlds-his-oyster-1272879 |title=Glenn Pocknall on uncapped fast bowler Ben Sears: 'The world's his oyster' |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 August 2021}} Sears made his T20I debut on 3 September 2021, for New Zealand against Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1272094.html |title=2nd T20I (D/N), Dhaka, Sep 3 2021, New Zealand tour of Bangladesh |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=3 September 2021}}

In August 2022, Sears was named as a replacement for Matt Henry, who was ruled out of the West Indies tour due to rib injury.{{cite web|url=https://international.nzc.nz/news-items/sears-called-up-to-west-indies-tour-as-henry-ruled-out |title=Sears called up to West Indies tour as Henry ruled out |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=14 August 2022}}

In December 2023, he was selected in New Zealand's squad for the 3-match T20 series against Bangladesh.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Ian |date=2023-12-17 |title=Rachin Ravindra missing from Black Caps T20 squad to play Bangladesh |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/black-caps/301028213/rachin-ravindra-missing-from-black-caps-t20-squad-to-play-bangladesh |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Stuff |language=en}} In the third T20 match, he bowled a match-winning spell, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs off his 4 overs.{{Cite web |title=NZ vs BAN, Bangladesh in New Zealand 2023/24, 3rd T20I at Mount Maunganui, December 31, 2023 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-in-new-zealand-2023-24-1388181/new-zealand-vs-bangladesh-3rd-t20i-1388215/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}

In March 2024, he was called into the Test squad as injury cover for the 2nd test against Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/sears-called-in-to-replace-o-rourke-conway-set-for-surgery-1/ |title=Sears called in to replace O'Rourke {{!}} Conway set for surgery |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=4 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/new-zealand-news-ben-sears-called-up-for-will-o-rourke-devon-conway-to-miss-start-of-ipl-1423425 |title=Sears called up for O'Rourke, Conway to miss start of IPL due to thumb surgery |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=4 March 2024|date=3 March 2024|author=Malcolm, Alex}} In the first innings, he dismissed Australian opener Steve Smith with figures of 1-71.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-new-zealand-2023-24-1388188/new-zealand-vs-australia-2nd-test-1388227/match-report-1 |title=Hazlewood dismantles New Zealand but Henry gives home side hope |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 October 2024}} In the second innings he dismissed four Australian batsman as New Zealand suffered a close loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-new-zealand-2023-24-1388188/new-zealand-vs-australia-2nd-test-1388227/match-report-3 |title=Henry and Sears new ball surge gives New Zealand hope of famous win |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 October 2024}} He finished the second innings with figures of 4-90.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-new-zealand-2023-24-1388188/new-zealand-vs-australia-2nd-test-1388227/match-report-4 |title=Carey, Marsh carry Australia home in tense finish at Hagley Oval |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 October 2024}}

In May 2024, he was named as a reserve player in New Zealand’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=New Zealand Squad for ICC Men’s World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/new-zealand-squad-icc-mens-world-up-2024-new-zealand-jersey |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}}

In October 2024, he was named to national squad for Test series against India.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/injury-delays-williamson-s-departure-to-india-chapman-called-in-as-cover/ |title=Injury delays Williamson’s departure to India {{!}} Chapman called in as cover |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=9 October 2024}} Later he was ruled out of the series due to knee injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/132026/sears-ruled-out-of-india-tests-due-to-knee-injury |title=Sears ruled out of India Tests due to knee injury |work=Cricbuzz |access-date=15 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/sears-ruled-out-of-india-tests-duffy-called-in/ |title=Sears ruled out of India Tests {{!}} Duffy called in |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=15 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ind-vs-nz-ben-sears-ruled-out-jacob-duffy-drafted-into-nz-s-squad-1455383 |title=Ben Sears ruled out of India tour; uncapped Jacob Duffy drafted into NZ's squad |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 October 2024}}

In March 2025, Sears joined Yorkshire County Cricket Club as one of their overseas players for that year's county championship season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c62kv5kqr30o|title=Yorkshire sign New Zealand international Sears|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 March 2025}}

References

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