Credit: X
In an unfortunate turn of events during the first Test of the two-match series, Brian Bennett, the opening batter of Zimbabwe, had to retire hurt after getting hit to the head by a bouncer delivered by South African pacer Kwena Maphaka. Shortly afterwards, it was confirmed that he had been ruled out of the Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo due to a mild concussion before being replaced by concussion substitute Prince Masvaure.
The incident happened on the last ball of the sixth over of Zimbabwe’s first innings during their pursuit of the 418/9dec total set by South Africa on the scoreboard. It was a bouncer from left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka, the teenage sensation from South Africa, to which Brian Bennett tried to play a hook shot, only to get a top edge before the ball smacked straight into his helmet.
Moments later, the physio of Zimbabwe came onto the field to take a concussion test, which was quite a long one before Brian Bennett was cleared to bat with a new helmet. Although just a couple of overs later after facing a few more balls, his innings of 19 off 28 came to a close as he decided to walk off the field and retire hurt in the process.
Prince Masvaure replaced Brian Bennett as concussion substitute later in the Zimbabwe first innings, scoring 7 off 9 before losing his wicket to Wiaan Mulder, getting caught behind as wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne took the catch. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 251 runs in 61.4 overs despite the sixth hundred in Test cricket for Sean Williams, scoring 137 off 164 with 16 fours, to concede a first innings lead of 167 runs.
Below are the playing XIs of Zimbabwe and South Africa for first Test of two-match series:
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett*, Takudzawanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka
(*Prince Masvaure replaces Brian Bennett as concussion substitute)
