Justin Benson (cricketer)

Justin David Ramsay Benson (born 1 March 1967) is a former Irish cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler as well as an occasional wicket-keeper.[1]

Justin Benson
Personal information
Full name
Justin David Ramsay Benson
Born (1967-03-01) 1 March 1967 (age 57)
Dublin, Ireland
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight arm medium
RoleBatsman
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1986Cambridgeshire
1988–1993Leicestershire
1994–1997Ireland
FC debut28 April 1988 Leicestershire v Northamptonshire
Last FC11 August 1997 Ireland v Scotland
LA debut25 June 1986 Cambridgeshire v Yorkshire
Last LA24 June 1997 Ireland v Yorkshire
Career statistics
Competition FC LA ICC T
Matches 57 101 17
Runs scored 2,158 1,556 459
Batting average 28.39 19.45 32.78
100s/50s 4/6 0/3 0/2
Top score 153 85 74*
Balls bowled 824 1,645 18
Wickets 11 53 1
Bowling average 48.36 28.81 22.00
5 wickets in innings 0 0 0
10 wickets in match 0 0 0
Best bowling 2/24 4/27 1/22
Catches/stumpings 66/– 41/0 8/–
Source: CricketArchive, 30 September 2008

Benson attended St Faith's School in Cambridge, England.[2] Though born in Ireland, he spent the early part of his cricket career playing solely in England, starting by playing minor counties cricket with Cambridgeshire before moving on to play first-class cricket with Leicestershire. A highlight of his time at Leicestershire came in helping them to the final of the 1992 NatWest Trophy, Benson being at the wicket at the tight conclusion to a semi-final victory over then County Champions Essex.[3]

He spent five years with Leicestershire from 1988 to 1993 and as his career with them was winding down, he began to play for the country of his birth shortly after they gained associate membership of the International Cricket Council in 1993. He made his debut for Ireland against Australia in 1993 and was then selected for the 1994 ICC Trophy.

He carried on playing for Ireland whilst also again playing minor counties cricket for Cambridgeshire, playing in one more ICC Trophy in 1997 as well as the inaugural European Championship in 1996. His last match came against the MCC at Lord's in August 1997 at which point he had represented Ireland 59 times. He was captain in all his games in 1996 and 1997.

References

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  1. ^ "All time Ireland team (4)". Cricket Europe. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  2. ^ Turbervill, Huw, ed. (December 2022). "St Faith's School". The Cricketer Schools Guide 2023. The Cricketer: 148. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Leicestershire v Essex at Leicester, 12-3 August 1992". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
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