Banbury Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Australian cricketer Hamish McKenzie as our overseas player for the 2027 season.
A left-arm wrist-spinner and left-handed batter, 27-year-old Hamish brings experience of Australian domestic cricket and the Big Bash League, having represented Western Australia, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars. His arrival is an exciting addition to the squad as preparations build for next summer.
Speaking to the Club, he said: “I am so excited. People talk so highly of Banbury as a club, it was a no brainer saying yes to coming. Winning the league is my main goal as well as contributing from an individual perspective with bat and ball and hoping to get some higher honours from that.”
Hamish established his reputation with Subiaco-Floreat in Western Australia’s strong Premier Cricket competition. His outstanding 2021–22 campaign brought 65 wickets at an average of just 13.32 across all formats, earning him the prestigious Olly Cooley Medal as the competition’s best and fairest player. Those performances helped secure his first Western Australia contract ahead of the 2022–23 season.
Further recognition followed when he dismissed Indian internationals Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik while representing a Western Australia XI against the touring India side in October 2022—a demonstration of his ability against world-class opposition.
Hamish went on to make his first-class debut for Western Australia in November 2023 before appearing for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash later that year. His performances included an impressive return of 2–12 against Melbourne Stars at the MCG. In August 2024, the Stars signed him on a two-year deal, highlighting the different challenge offered by his left-arm wrist-spin.
Talking about what attracted him to Banbury, he said “Obviously having a strong friendship with Fanners (Sam Fanning - Banbury’s 2026 overseas professional) as well as having that Perth connection with Coyney (1st XI Captain Kieran Coyne), it was really a no brainer in signing. From what I’ve heard the standards in terms of training and playing are great and the boys all love the social side of things as well. Being closer to London also played a part as my brother lives in London.”
Hamish is no stranger to cricket in the U.K., having represented Newton-Le-Willows in the Liverpool & District Premier League. He said he hopes this will give him some good preparation for the season ahead, adding: “I found it very good, the time-cricket rules as well as some of the wickets we played on were pretty dicey but that will definitely help me know what to expect this season.
“I’m sure there will be various ups and downs as a team next season and also individually. I am hoping my skillset and experience can assist in overcoming these challenges and achieving the main aim of winning the league.”
For Banbury, his ability as a left arm unorthodox spinner adds an intriguing dimension to the bowling attack, one which Chairman Martin Philips is looking forward to seeing.
He said: “Hamish comes to us as a highly respected cricketer and someone who we feel will embed themselves within the club from a cricketing and social perspective. We thoroughly enjoyed having Sam (Fanning) with us last season and so his recommendation (in Hamish) was an opportunity we couldn’t look past.”
Everyone at Banbury Cricket Club looks forward to welcoming Hamish into the club and helping him settle into life in Oxfordshire. We are excited to see him in Banbury colours and wish him every success for the 2027 season.
Welcome to Banbury, Hamish!