Ben Lister Bio
Benjamin George Lister (born 1 January 1996) is a New Zealand international cricketer who plays as a right-handed batter and left-arm medium-pace bowler. A product of the Auckland system, he represents Auckland in domestic cricket and made his way into the national squads across Twenty20 International and One Day International formats. Known for his accuracy and ability to swing the new ball, Lister has become a reliable seam-bowling option in New Zealand’s white-ball setup.
Born and raised in Henderson, Auckland, Lister rose through the Auckland age-group ranks before breaking into senior domestic cricket. After several productive seasons on the New Zealand circuit, including time with Nottinghamshire in the English T20 Blast, he established himself as a limited-overs bowler for the Black Caps.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin George Lister was born on 1 January 1996 in Henderson, a suburb in West Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up in one of the country’s most established cricket regions, he was exposed to the sport at a young age through school competitions and local club cricket. Auckland has long been a breeding ground for New Zealand seamers, and Lister developed his skills in this competitive environment.
As a young fast bowler, Lister represented Auckland age-group sides and participated in regional development programs that prepared him for the demands of senior cricket. His left-arm medium-pace style gave him a point of difference, and his ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch quickly drew attention from Auckland selectors. By his late teens, he was widely regarded as one of the promising seamers emerging from the Auckland pipeline.
Path to Cricket
Lister’s entry into professional cricket came through Auckland’s domestic structure. He made his first-class debut for Auckland in the 2017–18 Plunket Shield season on 7 November 2017, marking the start of his senior career. The following week, he announced himself as a bowler of promise by taking his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, with figures of five wickets for 29 runs against Northern Districts.
He quickly broadened his experience across formats. Lister made his List A debut for Auckland in the 2017–18 Ford Trophy on 3 December 2017 and his Twenty20 debut for Auckland in the 2017–18 Super Smash on 13 December 2017. In June 2018, his early performances were rewarded with a contract with Auckland for the 2018–19 season, confirming his status as a player of first-team quality.
Ben Lister Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Lister’s first two domestic seasons were about establishing himself in the Auckland squad across all three formats. In September 2018, he was named in the Auckland Aces’ squad for the 2018 Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy, a sign of the franchise’s growing confidence in his T20 credentials. He continued to develop his game in both red-ball and white-ball cricket during this period.
On 17 November 2019, in the 2019–20 Ford Trophy, Lister delivered a breakthrough List A performance by taking his first five-wicket haul in the 50-over format. He finished that Ford Trophy campaign as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 23 dismissals across eleven matches, a return that established him as a frontline white-ball bowler at the domestic level.
Domestic Breakthrough (2020–2022)
In June 2020, Lister was offered a contract by Auckland ahead of the 2020–21 domestic cricket season, a reflection of his standing as a core member of the side. In October 2020, in the opening round of the 2020–21 Plunket Shield season, he became the first COVID-19 replacement in a cricket match, stepping in for Mark Chapman, who reported feeling unwell under updated International Cricket Council playing conditions.
Across this period, Lister built a strong record in New Zealand’s domestic competitions, contributing consistently with the new ball and at the death in T20 cricket. His economy and wicket-taking ability in the Super Smash made him a regular feature in Auckland’s title pushes and helped him push for higher honours.
International Breakthrough (2023)
In January 2023, Lister earned his maiden call-up to the New Zealand cricket team for the Twenty20 International series against India, rewarding years of consistent domestic performances. He made his international debut on 1 February 2023 during that series, becoming the 95th player to represent New Zealand in T20I cricket. He took his place in the attack as a left-arm seam-bowling option alongside the country’s frontline pacers.
His strong start in T20I cricket led to further recognition. In March 2023, he was named in New Zealand’s One Day International squad for the series against Sri Lanka, and in April was included in the squad for the series against Pakistan. He made his ODI debut in the fourth match of that series, on 5 May 2023, becoming the 211th New Zealand ODI cap. Across formats, he wears shirt number 17 for New Zealand.
Auckland and Nottinghamshire Era (2024)
Lister signed to play in the English T20 Blast for Nottinghamshire in 2024, expanding his experience in overseas franchise cricket. He linked up with the Outlaws for the Vitality Blast campaign, gaining exposure to English conditions and a high-profile domestic T20 league. He has continued to represent Auckland in New Zealand domestic cricket alongside his overseas commitments.
His most recent T20I appearance listed in career records came on 20 April 2024 against Pakistan, and his most recent ODI appearance was on 23 April 2026 against Bangladesh, indicating his continued involvement in New Zealand’s white-ball plans heading into the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ben Lister bowls left-arm medium pace, relying on accuracy, seam position, and subtle movement through the air rather than outright speed. He is particularly effective in the powerplay, where his ability to swing the new ball and tie down batters has been a key strength. In T20 cricket, his variations in pace and control at the death make him a useful complement to more attacking bowlers, while in 50-over cricket he has shown the stamina to bowl long spells and pick up wickets in the middle phase.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lister’s most memorable achievements is his five-wicket haul of five for 29 against Northern Districts in the 2017–18 Plunket Shield, taken in only his second first-class match. He also became the first COVID-19 replacement in a cricket match when he stepped in for Mark Chapman in October 2020, a unique entry in the sport’s record books. His international debut for New Zealand in T20I cricket against India in February 2023 marked the realization of a long-held ambition.
Ben Lister Career Wins
As a bowler, Ben Lister’s career is measured in wickets and consistent spells rather than trophy hauls, and he has built an impressive record across formats. In first-class cricket, he has taken 93 wickets from 39 matches, with a best of five for 29 and one five-wicket haul. In List A cricket, he has claimed 83 wickets from 71 matches, with a best of six for 51 and two five-wicket hauls. In T20I cricket, he has taken 11 wickets from 12 matches, with a best of three for 35, while in ODI cricket he has six wickets from four matches, with a best of three for 69.
Domestic Highlights
Lister’s domestic highlights centre on his consistent run of wickets for Auckland. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2019–20 Ford Trophy with 23 dismissals in eleven matches, the standout performance of his List A career to that point. He has also been a key figure in Auckland’s Super Smash campaigns, where his new-ball spells and death-over control have been central to the team’s bowling plans.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond domestic cricket, Lister’s stint with Nottinghamshire in the 2024 T20 Blast gave him a platform to perform in English conditions, while his T20I debut series against India in early 2023 and his ODI debut against Pakistan in May 2023 confirmed his standing as a trusted white-ball bowler for New Zealand.
Ben Lister Family
Family Background and Cricket Lineage
Specific details about Ben Lister’s family background and any cricket lineage are not publicly documented in available sources. His rise through Auckland’s age-group and senior ranks has been based on individual performance rather than a noted cricketing family connection.
Personal Life
Public information about Ben Lister’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not widely reported. He continues to live a relatively private life away from cricket, with most of his public profile focused on his performances on the field for Auckland and New Zealand.
2025 Season Outlook
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Ben Lister is expected to remain a key part of Auckland’s bowling unit across the Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy, and Super Smash competitions. His experience in international cricket, combined with his time at Nottinghamshire, positions him as a senior figure in the Aces’ dressing room and a bowler around whom the side’s white-ball plans can be built.
On the international stage, Lister will be aiming to add to his T20I and ODI caps and force his way into New Zealand’s plans for major white-ball events. With his accuracy, left-arm angle, and proven record of taking wickets in domestic cricket, he is well placed to push for a more regular place in the Black Caps’ white-ball XI. Continued strong domestic returns in 2025 could see him feature prominently in New Zealand’s international fixtures throughout the year.