Ben Stewart McKinney (born 4 October 2004) is an English cricketer who plays for Durham County Cricket Club and is a former captain of the England under-19 cricket team. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm off break bowler.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ben Stewart McKinney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 October 2004 Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Left-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off break | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Opening batter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–present | Durham (squad no. 9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Manchester Originals (squad no. 77) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FC debut | 6 April 2023 Durham v Sussex | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LA debut | 1 August 2023 Durham v Worcestershire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 9 June 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
editMcKinney was a youth team footballer for Sunderland before focusing on cricket. McKinney attended Seaham High School and played for Seaham Harbour Cricket Club, playing age-group cricket for Durham from the under-11 age-group.[2][3]
Domestic career
editMcKinney made his debut in the County Championship against Sussex in April 2023, and made 35 in his first innings.[4] He made his List A cricket debut for Durham on 1 August 2023, against Worcestershire.[5] On 4 August 2023 it was announced that McKinney had signed a two-year professional contract with Durham.[6] He scored a maiden century for Durham against Kent in the One-Day Cup on 11 August 2024.[7] Later that month, he also scored his maiden first-class century against Notts.[8] He subsequently agreed a further two-year contract with the club in January 2025.[9] On 11 April 2026, McKinney hit his highest first-class score of 244, achieved for Durham against Gloucestershire in the 2026 County Championship.[10]
International career
editMcKinney captained the Young Lions and England national under-19 cricket team that toured Australia in the winter of 2022–23. They secured a first Youth Test victory in Australia since 2003 and McKinney scored a 45-ball 70 in England's second innings.[11] In August 2023, he was announced as continuing in the captaincy of the England U19 team for the summer matches against Ireland and Australia.[12] In October 2024, he was named in the England Lions squad for their tour of South Africa.[13] Subsequently, McKinney was included in the England Lions squad to tour Australia in January 2025.[14][15] He was also named in the England Lions squad for the 2026 series against South Africa A.[16]
References
edit- ↑ Dalling, Sam (23 January 2026). "England's Next Gen: Who are the bright young things offering hope for the future?". The Athletic.
A 6ft 7in frame makes him tricky to bowl at: decent-length deliveries are turned into half-volleys while, against spin, McKinney's long levers allow him to reach balls even if his footwork is a smidgen off.
- ↑ "Ben McKinney". Durham Cricket. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ↑ Westerby, John (28 April 2026). "Meet 6ft 7in ex-footballer who could become England's tallest batsman". The Times. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ Duke-Giles, Scott (19 May 2023). "T20 Blast 2023: Young players to watch". The Cricketer. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ↑ "Worcestershire defeat Durham despite Liam Trevaskis hat-trick". The Cricketer. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ↑ Turner, Joe (4 August 2023). "Promising youngster Ben McKinney pens professional terms with Durham". The Cricketer. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ "Ben McKinney scores maiden Durham century with Drissell and Ackermann spinning Durham to victory over Kent". Durhamcricket.co.uk. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "County Championship: McKinney & Lees put Durham on top against Notts". bbc.com. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Durham batter McKinney signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ↑ "McKinney hits 244 as Durham dominate Glos". BBC Sport. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ben McKinney: "We're going to follow suit from the England Men's senior team."". Durham Cricket. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ↑ "Durham's Ben McKinney to captain England Men U19s against Ireland and Australia". ecb.co.uk. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ "Ben McKinney named in England Lions squad for South Africa tour". Durham Cricket. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ↑ "England Men's Lions announce squad for Australia tour". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ↑ "Ben McKinney named in England Lions squad for Australia tour". Durham County Cricket Club. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ↑ "England Lions name squad for 50-overs series with South Africa A". ECB. Retrieved 5 June 2026.