General manager of cricket, Gavin Hamilton, head of performance pathway, James Martin and second-team coach, Tom Smith, are all present as Will Bennison signs his maiden professional contract.
Will Bennison, Yorkshire’s newest professional, has described signing a rookie contract with his home county as a “dream come true”.
Top order batter Bennison, born in Marton-cum-Grafton, is the latest in the line of talented up and comers who have broken into the county’s senior squad in the last 12 months, following on from Jawad Akhtar, Noah Kelly and Alex Wade.
Like fast bowler Wade, Bennison, who bowls handy leg-spinners, has had a taste of the England Under 19s life.
Last month, he was called into their squad for the Test series against India having scored a hundred against the tourists in a warm-up game for the Young Lions side.
Bennison, aged 18, said: “I’ve been working for this for the last few years now, and it’s really nice to see that it’s all come to fruition and all come together.
“It’s a dream come true.”
The timing of Bennison’s full-time contract falls nicely in terms of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, starting this week.
A development competition in which many a rising star gets his chance, the tall right-hander is likely to be in contention alongside Akhtar, Kelly and Wade. The latter, however, is only just coming back from injury at present.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Will Bennison at Yorkshire’s pre-season media day.
Fast bowler Matthew Firbank is another to keep an eye on.
“I feel like my red-ball and 50-over games are in a really good place at the moment,” continued Bennison.
“Perhaps my T20 batting still needs a bit of work, but overall I feel like I’m in a good place.
“I’ve batted in all sorts of positions for the second eleven, so I think I’d probably see myself as more of a number three. But I’m very happy to open or even bat four or five.
“I’m very easy, to be honest, whatever the team needs I’ll do.”
Bennison currently plays his league cricket at Sheriff Hutton Bridge in the Yorkshire Premier League North competition. He has been there since the age of 14 or 15 having initially learnt his trade at Ouseburn Cricket Club, where he started at six-years-old.
His older brother Josh was a significant influence on forging a love for the game, as was grandad Mike (Tarr), who played for Somerset seconds in the early 1970s. And, of course, his parents.
Bennison’s two-year rookie contract was announced by Yorkshire last month, with David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd helping out with the reveal video. The link? Lloyd lives close to Sheriff Hutton Bridge’s ground and has watched the teenager regularly.
Picture by Stu Forster/Getty Images. David Lloyd has seen a decent amount of Will Bennison play for Sheriff Hutton Bridge and thinks he’s a “proper, proper player”.
He described Bennison – who is happy to go by the name of Will or Wills – as “the real deal – a proper, proper player”.
“It was amazing to see that video,” he said. “I’ve loved listening to him commentate over the years, and I’ve spoken to him a few times down at the club. He’s often just there watching, and we have a few passing conversations.”
Yorkshire’s batting coach John Sadler has described Bennison as player who knows his own game, an old head on young shoulders type.
“That’s definitely a massive compliment,” said Bennison. “I think I probably see myself in a similar sort of way to that. I have quite a simple game and know my areas to score and my shots quite well. I don’t get drawn into playing shots I don’t want to.
“I feel like I can occupy the crease for long periods. But once I get in, I can score quite quickly.”
Bennison scored an opening 106 for Yorkshire’s seconds in a Championship draw against Hampshire at Weetwood last week, continuing an impressive summer which was kicked off by an eye-catching 203 not out in a four-day friendly win against Warwickshire at the Edgbaston Community Ground in April.
He opened and underpinned a successful chase of 403.
And it’s not the first time he’s thrived in that situation.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com. Anthony McGrath may hand Will Bennison his first-team debut in the forthcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Last summer, he hit 106 as Yorkshire chased 407 to beat Surrey at York.
It would be great if he can continue that trend of starring in mammoth chases as his career progresses.
“Personally, my favourite knocks are always the ones when we win,” he said. “It’s amazing to have both – you score a hundred and you win the game.
“That we managed to chase 400 in both games was amazing. That’s the kind of thing you play the game for.
“If you can win the game in the fourth innings chasing 400, that’s just remarkable. To have played my part made it that bit more special.”
The ton against Surrey at Clifton Park came just a stone’s throw away from where Bennison was educated, at St Peter’s School. He has just recently finished his A-Levels.
He played rugby union and hockey as well as cricket, but the latter was number one.
He played for his school in a Lord’s T20 final last year against Millfield from Somerset, scoring 97 in a victory.
Picture courtesy of St Peter’s School. The St Peter’s first-team triumphed in national T20 final at Lord’s last summer. Will Bennison starred in victory over Somerset side Millfield.
“It was an amazing day and really special for the group,” he said.
“None of us had scholarships or anything like that. We were all just lads from around the York area. It was just lovely that it all came together for us on the day.
“It was probably one of the best days I’ve had playing cricket.”
Bennison paid tribute to the head of cricket at St Peter’s, Gareth Sharp, for the “huge impact” he’s had on his career.
“I’ve worked with him since I’ve been about age eight or something,” he said. “He’s been absolutely brilliant for me, and I’m sure I will keep working with him over the next few years.”
Sharp will complement the experience around Bennison from Yorkshire’s coaching staff and from his team-mates, which now include the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook and Joe Root.
“It’s an absolutely brilliant set-up we have here,” he said. “I really enjoyed working with John Sadler over the winter, and I feel that took my game to the next level.
“I’ve played a lot of cricket with the likes of Harry Duke and James Wharton, and I feel like just being around them and chatting to them, I’ve learnt a lot.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Batting coach John Sadler worked with Will Bennison a lot of the winter just gone.
Bennison is planning a gap year to concentrate on his cricket before considering his next step with education. That is likely to include a winter trip to Melbourne.
First things first, he may have a first-team debut to plan for at some point during the forthcoming One-Day Cup.
“We’ll have to see, I guess,” added Bennison. “All I can do is keep putting in performances in whichever games I play, whether it’s for the seconds, the Academy or Sheriff Hutton Bridge.
“Obviously that’s the goal, to play some first-team cricket. But I’m just trying not to look too far ahead.”
