Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo after being diagnosed with a mild concussion. The 21-year-old suffered the injury on Day 2 when he was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from South African pacer Kwena Maphaka.
Bennett, who was on 19 off 25 balls at the time, attempted to pull a short delivery in the sixth over but the ball deflected off the top edge and hit his helmet. Although he initially cleared the on-field concussion test and continued batting, he appeared uncomfortable and chose to retire hurt after facing just three more balls from debutant Codi Yusuf in the following over.
Zimbabwe Cricket later confirmed that Bennett would not return to the match as per the concussion protocols. “Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett will play no further part in the ongoing Test match against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo after being diagnosed with a mild concussion. As per concussion protocols, he will take no further part in the match. Prince Masvaure has been named as his replacement, making his 10th appearance in Test cricket,” the board stated in an official release.
Following the ICC’s concussion substitute regulations, Prince Masvaure was named Bennett’s replacement. The 36-year-old left-hander will make his 10th Test appearance. Masvaure last played a Test against Ireland in July 2024, where he scored a half-century. He has been in good domestic form, scoring 165 runs in five innings at an average of 41.25 in the ongoing Logan Cup, with a best of 50 not out.
Earlier in the match, South Africa had declared their first innings on 418 for 9, thanks to centuries from Lhuan-Dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch. Zimbabwe’s reply got off to a poor start with both openers, Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch, dismissed cheaply inside the first five overs. However, experienced batters Sean Williams (45 not out) and Craig Ervine (24 not out) steadied the innings, guiding Zimbabwe to 94 for 3 at lunch on Day 2.
