Ben McKinney

Ben McKinney
Personal information
Full name
Ben Stewart McKinney
Born (2004-10-04) 4 October 2004
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)[1]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm off break
RoleOpening batter
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2023–presentDurham (squad no. 9)
2025Manchester Originals (squad no. 77)
2026Southern Brave (squad no. 7)
FC debut6 April 2023 Durham v Sussex
LA debut1 August 2023 Durham v Worcestershire
Career statistics
Competition FC LA T20
Matches 35 16 32
Runs scored 2,021 535 491
Batting average 36.74 33.43 16.93
100s/50s 6/4 1/2 0/0
Top score 244 115 44
Catches/stumpings 28/– 7/– 19/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 23 August 2026

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.

Early life

McKinney 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

McKinney 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] In June 2026, he signed a new two-year contract with Durham tying him into the club until at least the end of the 2028 season.[11][12]

International career

McKinney 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.[13] In August 2023, he was announced as continuing in the captaincy of the England U19 team for the summer matches against Ireland and Australia.[14] In October 2024, he was named in the England Lions squad for their tour of South Africa.[15] Subsequently, McKinney was included in the England Lions squad to tour Australia in January 2025.[16][17] He was also named in the England Lions squad for the 2026 series against South Africa A.[18]

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ "Ben McKinney". Durham Cricket. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  3. ↑ Westerby, John (28 April 2026). "Meet 6ft 7in ex-footballer who could become England's tallest batsman". The Times. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Duke-Giles, Scott (19 May 2023). "T20 Blast 2023: Young players to watch". The Cricketer. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Worcestershire defeat Durham despite Liam Trevaskis hat-trick". The Cricketer. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. ↑ Turner, Joe (4 August 2023). "Promising youngster Ben McKinney pens professional terms with Durham". The Cricketer. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "County Championship: McKinney & Lees put Durham on top against Notts". bbc.com. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Durham batter McKinney signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "McKinney hits 244 as Durham dominate Glos". BBC Sport. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Young Lion McKinney signs new Durham deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Ben McKinney extends with new two-year deal". Durham County Cricket Club. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Ben McKinney: "We're going to follow suit from the England Men's senior team."". Durham Cricket. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  14. ↑ "Durham's Ben McKinney to captain England Men U19s against Ireland and Australia". ecb.co.uk. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Ben McKinney named in England Lions squad for South Africa tour". Durham Cricket. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  16. ↑ "England Men's Lions announce squad for Australia tour". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  17. ↑ "Ben McKinney named in England Lions squad for Australia tour". Durham County Cricket Club. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  18. ↑ "England Lions name squad for 50-overs series with South Africa A". ECB. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
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