Wills Bennison’s cricketing journey began in the heart of Yorkshire, where he quickly emerged as a standout talent. He honed his skills here at St Peter’s under the watchful eye of Head of Cricket, Gareth Sharp. Bennison played for the school’s first XI for 5 years. His school performances were marked by consistency and flair, often dominating matches and always making an impact with his composed right-hand batting and skilful leg-spin. These early years laid the foundation for a career that has since gathered serious momentum.
He became a prolific run-scorer for the Yorkshire Academy and the Second XI, earning a reputation for delivering under pressure. Notably, he scored 106 off 95 balls against Surrey in a Second XI Championship match, helping Yorkshire chase down a daunting 407-run target.
In July 2025, Bennison was awarded a two-year rookie contract with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, a significant milestone that marked his transition into the professional arena. His debut List A match came against Kent on August 25, 2025, though he didn’t score in that outing—a minor blip in an otherwise promising trajectory.
Earlier this summer, Bennison showcased his big-match temperament by scoring an unbeaten 203 in a four-day friendly against Warwickshire, leading Yorkshire to a seven-wicket win while chasing 403. He opened the batting in that match, demonstrating his versatility and resilience.
Bennison’s talent was recognised at the national level when he was selected for an England Young Lions XI. He made headlines by scoring a century against India Under-19s in June 2025, and produce several match winning contributions in fixtures against Ireland and Bangladesh in the same summer, further solidifying his status as one of England’s brightest young prospects.
With a blend of technical skill, mental fortitude and the ability to adapt into any environment, as well as a knack for rising to the occasion, Will Bennison is poised for a long and impactful career. His journey from school captain to professional cricketer is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. As he continues to develop, fans and selectors alike will be watching closely—especially when Yorkshire faces Lancashire, where Bennison’s performances are already becoming the stuff of legend.
Will Bennison’s school cricket career at St Peter’s School, York was nothing short of extraordinary, under pinned by humility, self awareness and competitiveness. Here are some of the standout statistics and achievements that marked his rise:
• 97 runs at Lord’s: In the National Schools U18 Boys T20 Cricket Cup final at Lord’s in 2024, Bennison smashed a match-winning 97 runs to lift St Peter’s total to 153.
• 3 wickets in the same final: He followed up his batting heroics by taking 3 wickets, helping bowl out Millfield for just 110 and securing a 43-run victory.:
• Scored 3751 runs at 58.6 and took 95 wickets at 17.9 for St Peter’s School 1st XI in the 5 years he was at St Peter’s.
• Captain of North of England U15s: Bennison led the side at the ECB Bunbury Festival, which features the top 56 boys in England as part of the England Men’s Performance Pathway.
• 107 off 117 balls*: In a 50-over fixture against the Midlands, he scored an unbeaten century and was part of a record 214-run partnership in a 9-wicket win.
• Top of Wisden Schools Batting Averages: Bennison was ranked #1 nationally in batting averages during the school season.
• Second in total runs: He was also second overall in total runs scored across all UK schools.
• Top 10 in bowling averages: Despite being primarily a batter, he ranked 10th nationally in bowling averages, showcasing his all-round talent.
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