Ben Wright: Bradford to BWCUCC

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | October 30, 2025

Ben Wright has arrived at BWCUCC from Bradford Premier League Club Farsley in the North of England, where he is the captain. Wright is a top order batsman who offers handy overs of medium pace. It is his first trip to New Zealand to play and he has already made an impression on the club.

We asked Ben how his experience in Christchurch has been so far.

What’s brought you to BWCUCC, where are you from and what does your cricket journey so far look like?

I'm currently in New Zealand on a honeymoon combined with a cricket season. After my wife secured work in the Christchurch area, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to continue playing and challenge myself at a high level. Burnside’s recent success and strong reputation made it a clear choice, so I was thrilled when the club showed interest in having me involved.

Back in the UK, I play for Farsley in the Bradford League and represent Lincolnshire in the Minor Counties competition.

 

How have you found settling into the club environment so far?

It’s been excellent. The lads have been incredibly welcoming and made a real effort to get me involved on and off the field. I’ve been really impressed with the intensity and standards at training. Special mention to Matt Hay, Carl Huyser, and Adam Winter, who’ve gone out of their way to help me settle in and feel part of the setup.

What’s stood out to you about how the club and team operates?

Definitely the professionalism and the collective drive to improve. Everyone shows up to training with purpose, and there’s a great balance between individual development and working together as a unit. That hunger to get better is really noticeable.

 

What do you hope to achieve this season?

As a group, our goals are clear, we want to replicate the success of recent seasons. However, we also know that success comes from taking things week by week, so we are not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

Funniest teammate so far?

I have enjoyed Alex Tait's energy, with a cheeky comment here and there. Matty Lewis has come out with some funny lines but I’m not sure if he's meant them!

Who’s impressed you the most at training?

Tom Turner, without a doubt. I’ve batted with him a couple of times at training and he’s making me look bad! He strikes the ball incredibly cleanly and hits it to all parts. He’s definitely one to watch this season.

The art of captaincy with Matt Hay - What does good captaincy look like? – click to unlock the full conversation.