Old Peterite Wills Bennison Named Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year 2026 

St Peter’s School is exceptionally proud to announce that former pupil Wills Bennison has been named Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year 2026, one of the most prestigious individual honours in world cricket. 

The award was formally presented last week at the 163rd Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Dinner, held in the iconic Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground - a setting befitting an occasion that brought together a true who’s who of the global cricketing community. Alongside Wills, the evening will celebrate the Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year, the Leading Cricketers in World and T20 cricket, and several other major Wisden honours. 

A Landmark Moment for Wills - and for St Peter’s 

Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year is awarded annually to the standout schoolboy cricketer in the UK, judged on performances from the preceding English summers. In his St Peter’s cricket career, he scored 3,750 runs at an average close to 50 and claimed 95 wickets across the 5 years in the school 1st XI. He earned a Spectacular Player of the Match performance in the National Schools T20 Final at Lords in 2024, underlining his big match temperament in St Peter’s victory over Millfield. Coaches and spectators alike hailed his display as one of the finest in the competition’s history. Decided by Wisden’s schools correspondent in consultation with the editor and respected cricket observers, the award has become a powerful indicator of future success at the highest levels of the game. 

Since its introduction in 2008, five recipients have gone on to represent England in Test and One Day International cricket, with many others progressing to professional careers. Wills now joins that distinguished lineage, becoming the twelfth former Schools Cricketer of the Year to move into the professional game. 

For St Peter’s, this recognition is particularly significant. The school now stands alongside Eton and Malvern as one of only three schools to have produced two Wisden Schools Cricketers of the Year, underlining the strength and consistency of its cricketing programme. 

A Tradition Recognised by Wisden 

Wisden’s association with schools’ cricket stretches back to 1865, just one year after the first edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack was published. The Schools Cricketer of the Year award was introduced in 2008 specifically to raise the profile of the school game, building on Wisden’s long-standing commitment to identifying and celebrating emerging talent. The Wisden Cricketer of the Year awards themselves date back to 1889, making them the oldest individual awards in the sport and among the most coveted honours in cricket worldwide. 

Pride Across the St Peter’s Community 

Reflecting on the achievement, Gareth Sharp, Head of Cricket, said: 

“This is a remarkable and richly deserved honour for Wills. To be recognised by Wisden in this way places him among an elite group of cricketers and is a testament to his work ethic and character. We are immensely proud of him and delighted that St Peter’s has once again been recognised on such a prestigious stage.” 

The entire St Peter’s community congratulates Wills on this outstanding accomplishment and looks forward to following his continued progression in professional cricket. 

You can read more about Wills’ achievement at the link below: 

• Will Bennison: Yorkshire And England U19 Star Follows Jonny Bairstow By Winning Prestigious Wisden Schools Cricketer Award