‘Mr Consistent’ Sabin and 300-wicket Wright named among Banbury Cricket Club’s standout performers in 2026
Several Banbury Cricket Club men’s first XI players have received special recognition from captain Kieran Coyne following an impressive 2026 season.
Banbury finished third in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division 1, while they finished runners-up in the Oxfordshire T20 Cup, losing to Oxford Downs in the final.
There were a host of dominant wins throughout the campaign, including ten and nine-wicket thrashings of Great Brickhill and a comfortable seven-wicket win over Aston Rowant.
But some results needed grinding out with run-scoring pivotal, including against Slough and Malden Wanderers back in May.
Coyne admitted there was one stand-out batsman in 2026, though he reiterated that the year’s success was thanks to a cumulative team effort at the crease.
“Lloyd Sabin was fantastic the whole year,” Coyne told the Banbury Guardian.
“I think he had 800-900 runs and he was outstanding, just Mr Consistent every week churning out runs.”
With ball in hand, every bowler stole the show at some point throughout the season.
On his bowlers, Coyne added: “You can’t really pull one name out of the hat – they’re all excellent!
“We had Wrighty (Oliver Wright) take his 300th Home Counties Premier Cricket League wicket in the last game of the year. He’s one that stands to mind.
“But Hayden Rossouw, Matt Jones, Hicksy (Sam Hicks), Charlie Hill, Dave Eaton… everyone who bowled basically did their job very well and throughout the year stepped up at different times.
“As a unit, we played some really good cricket and in terms of bowlers, no-one really stands out because they were all fantastic.”
Coyne is hoping the likes of Sabin, Wright, Rossouw, Jones, Hicks, Hill and Eaton will step it up yet another level next season, with the 2027 league campaign starting in May.
On what will happen in the meantime, Coyne explained: “In the winter months we sort of do our own thing for a couple of months.
“I know most of the lads, if they’re not gyming, they’re running. If not, they’re getting their bodies right with stretches, yoga, pilates – whatever it might be.
“We’re back at it at the end of January for indoor cricket and pre-season.”