Ben Sears Explained

Benjamin Vincent Sears (born 11 February 1998) is a New Zealand cricketer who plays for Otago domestic cricket. He made his international debut for the New Zealand cricket team in September 2021.^[1]

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.^[2] Prior to his List A debut, he was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.^[3] He made his first-class debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Plunket Shield season on 6 December 2018.^[4] He made his Twenty20 debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Super Smash on 31 December 2018.^[5]

In June 2020, he was offered a contract by Wellington ahead of the 2020–21 domestic cricket season.^{[6] [7]} In November 2020, Sears was named in the New Zealand A cricket team for practice matches against the touring West Indies team.^{[8] [9]}

In August 2021, Sears was named in New Zealand's Twenty20 International (T20I) squads for their tour of Bangladesh,^[10] and their tour of Pakistan.^{[11] [12]} Sears made his T20I debut on 3 September 2021, for New Zealand against Bangladesh.^[13]

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.^[14]

In December 2023, he was selected in New Zealand's squad for the 3-match T20 series against Bangladesh.^[15] In the third T20 match, he bowled a match-winning spell, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs off his 4 overs.^[16]

In March 2024, he was called into the Test squad as injury cover for the 2nd test against Australia.^{[17] [18]} In the first innings, he dismissed Australian opener Steve Smith with figures of 1-71.^[19] In the second innings he dismissed four Australian batsman as New Zealand suffered a close loss.^[20] He finished the second innings with figures of 4-90.^[21]

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.^[22]

In October 2024, he was named to national squad for Test series against India.^[23] Later he was ruled out of the series due to knee injury.^{[24] [25] [26]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ben Sears . 24 October 2018 . ESPN Cricinfo.
2. Web site: The Ford Trophy at Wellington, Oct 24 2018 . 24 October 2018 . ESPN Cricinfo.
3. Web site: NZ appoint Finnie as captain for Under-19 World Cup . 24 December 2015 . ESPNCricinfo.
4. Web site: Plunket Shield at Hamilton, Dec 6-9 2018 . 6 December 2018 . ESPN Cricinfo.
5. Web site: 8th Match (D/N), Super Smash at New Plymouth, Dec 31 2018 . 31 December 2018 . ESPN Cricinfo.
6. Web site: Daryl Mitchell, Jeet Raval and Finn Allen among major domestic movers in New Zealand . ESPN Cricinfo . 15 June 2020.
7. Web site: Auckland lose Jeet Raval to Northern Districts, Finn Allen to Wellington in domestic contracts . Stuff . 15 June 2020.
8. Web site: Devon Conway included in New Zealand A squad to face West Indies . ESPN Cricinfo . 12 November 2020.
9. Web site: Nicholls, Conway & Young to face West Indies in Queenstown . New Zealand Cricket . 12 November 2020 . 12 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184042/https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/nicholls-conway-and-young-to-face-west-indies-in-queenstown . dead .
10. Web site: T20 World Cup squad revealed: McConchie and Sears called up for Bangladesh/Pakistan . New Zealand Cricket . 9 August 2021 . 10 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210810002637/https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/t20-world-cup-squad-revealed-mcconchie-and-sears-called-up-for-bangladeshpakistan . dead .
11. Web site: Black Caps announce Twenty20 World Cup squad, two debutants for leadup tours with stars absent . Stuff . 9 August 2021.
12. Web site: Glenn Pocknall on uncapped fast bowler Ben Sears: 'The world's his oyster' . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 August 2021.
13. Web site: 2nd T20I (D/N), Dhaka, Sep 3 2021, New Zealand tour of Bangladesh . ESPN Cricinfo . 3 September 2021.
14. Web site: Sears called up to West Indies tour as Henry ruled out . New Zealand Cricket . 14 August 2022.
15. Web site: Anderson . Ian . 2023-12-17 . Rachin Ravindra missing from Black Caps T20 squad to play Bangladesh . 2024-01-04 . Stuff . en.
16. Web site: NZ vs BAN, Bangladesh in New Zealand 2023/24, 3rd T20I at Mount Maunganui, December 31, 2023 - Full Scorecard . 2024-01-04 . ESPNcricinfo . en.
17. Web site: Sears called in to replace O'Rourke Conway set for surgery . New Zealand Cricket . 4 March 2024.
18. Web site: Sears called up for O'Rourke, Conway to miss start of IPL due to thumb surgery . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 March 2024. 3 March 2024. Malcolm, Alex.
19. Web site: Hazlewood dismantles New Zealand but Henry gives home side hope . ESPNcricinfo . 15 October 2024.
20. Web site: Henry and Sears new ball surge gives New Zealand hope of famous win . ESPNcricinfo . 15 October 2024.
21. Web site: Carey, Marsh carry Australia home in tense finish at Hagley Oval . ESPNcricinfo . 15 October 2024.
22. Web site: New Zealand Squad for ICC Men’s World Cup 2024 . 2024-06-10 . ScoreWaves . en.
23. Web site: Injury delays Williamson’s departure to India Chapman called in as cover . . 9 October 2024.
24. Web site: Sears ruled out of India Tests due to knee injury . Cricbuzz . 15 October 2024.
25. Web site: Sears ruled out of India Tests Duffy called in . New Zealand Cricket . 15 October 2024.
26. Web site: Ben Sears ruled out of India tour; uncapped Jacob Duffy drafted into NZ's squad . ESPNcricinfo . 15 October 2024.