Ben Sears Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Ben Sears is a New Zealand fast‑bowling all‑rounder who has represented his country across all three formats since 2021.

Benjamin Vincent Sears was born on 11 February 1998 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. He is a right‑arm pace bowler who also bats lower down the order. Sears plays domestically for Wellington and has featured for the New Zealand national side in Tests, One‑Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. His early promise earned him a place in the New Zealand squad for the 2016 Under‑19 Cricket World Cup, and he progressed through the Wellington ranks to become a regular in the senior side.

Since making his international debut in September 2021, Sears has appeared in three Tests, taking eight wickets with a best of 4/90, and in four ODIs, claiming ten wickets with a career‑best 5/34. In the shortest format he has featured in 28 T20Is, picking up 33 wickets at an average of 21.12, with a top spell of 3/14. His domestic record includes more than 50 first‑class and limited‑overs matches for Wellington, and he spent the 2025 English season as an overseas professional with Yorkshire.

Ben Sears: quick facts

Born: 11 February 1998, Lower Hutt
Team: New Zealand

Ben Sears career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate
Tests	3	4	19	19*	19.00	42.22
ODIs	4	2	11	6	11.00	64.71
T20Is	28	9	23	7*	7.67	69.70

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	3	8	4/90	38.75	3.92
ODIs	4	10	5/34	19.70	5.74
T20Is	28	33	3/14	21.12	8.06

Figures as of 16 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Ben Sears’ early life

Ben Sears grew up in Lower Hutt, a suburb of Wellington, where his father Michael Sears had already established a cricketing pedigree playing for Wellington in the 1990s. The younger Sears was introduced to the game at a young age and developed his fast‑bowling skills in local clubs, benefitting from his father's experience and guidance. His talent was recognised early, leading to his selection in New Zealand's squad for the 2016 Under‑19 Cricket World Cup, a milestone that marked his entry onto the international junior stage.

During his school years Sears balanced academics with a growing commitment to cricket, representing regional age‑group sides and honing his abilities as a right‑arm pace bowler. The exposure to high‑performance environments in his teenage years laid the foundation for his subsequent professional debut for Wellington across all three domestic formats in the 2018–19 season.

Ben Sears’ domestic career

Sears made his List A debut for Wellington in the 2018–19 Ford Trophy on 24 October 2018, followed by his first‑class debut in the Plunket Shield on 6 December 2018 and his Twenty20 debut in the Super Smash on 31 December 2018. These three debuts within a single season demonstrated his versatility and fast‑track progression through Wellington's ranks. In June 2020 he secured a contract with Wellington ahead of the 2020–21 domestic season, confirming his status as a core member of the side.

His performances for Wellington earned him selection in the New Zealand A team for practice matches against the touring West Indies side in November 2020. Over subsequent seasons Sears became a regular wicket‑taker in the domestic circuit, contributing both with the ball and useful lower‑order runs. In March 2025 he expanded his experience abroad by joining Yorkshire County Cricket Club as an overseas player for the English county championship season.

Ben Sears’ international career

Sears entered the international arena with a Twenty20 International debut on 3 September 2021 against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. Over 28 T20I matches he has bowled 33 wickets at an average of 21.12, with an economy of 8.06 and a best spell of 3/14 against South Africa at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 17 March 2026. His batting in the format has yielded 23 runs in nine innings, a highest score of 7 not out.

He made his One‑Day International debut on 8 February 2025 versus Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. In four ODIs Sears has taken ten wickets at an average of 19.7, delivering an economy of 5.74 and recording best figures of 5/34 against Pakistan at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 5 April 2025. He also contributed 11 runs in two innings, with a top score of 6.

Sears' Test debut came on 8 March 2024 against Australia at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Across three Tests he has claimed eight wickets at an average of 38.75, with a best innings return of 4/90 in the second innings of that debut match. He also scored 19 runs in four innings, the highest being an unbeaten 19. A recent Test in June 2026 added another wicket, recorded as 1/12, bringing his overall Test tally to nine wickets.

Ben Sears’ franchise and league career

Beyond New Zealand domestic cricket, Sears ventured into the English county system when he signed as an overseas professional for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in March 2025. His role with Yorkshire involved contributing his fast‑bowling skills in the County Championship, providing the team with experience from the international arena. The stint broadened his exposure to different playing conditions and added a valuable overseas chapter to his professional career.

Ben Sears’ records and achievements

Sears' most notable bowling performances include a five‑wicket haul of 5/34 against Pakistan at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 5 April 2025 in an ODI, and a four‑wicket spell of 4/90 against Australia at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 8 March 2024 in his Test debut. He also recorded a five‑for of 5/59 against Pakistan at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 2 April 2025, and a T20I best of 3/14 versus South Africa at Seddon Park on 17 March 2026. These figures highlight his ability to take wickets across formats and conditions.

While he has not yet reached a century or half‑century at international level, Sears has contributed useful lower‑order runs, with a highest Test score of 19 not out and a top ODI score of 6. His fielding record includes two catches in Tests, one in ODIs and four in T20Is, underscoring his all‑round contribution to the teams he represents.

Ben Sears’ personal life

Ben Sears comes from a cricketing family; his father Michael Sears played for Wellington during the 1990s, providing a strong sporting influence during Ben's upbringing. Beyond his father's legacy, publicly available information about Sears' personal life remains limited, focusing primarily on his cricketing career and family background.

Ben Sears: frequently asked questions

When was Ben Sears born?

Ben Sears was born on 11 February 1998 in Lower Hutt.

Where is Ben Sears from?

Ben Sears was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

Which teams has Ben Sears played for?

Ben Sears plays international cricket for New Zealand.

When did Ben Sears make an international debut?

Ben Sears made a Test debut against Australia at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 8 March 2024. Ben Sears made an ODI debut against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 8 February 2025. Ben Sears made a T20I debut against Bangladesh at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on 3 September 2021.