Follow UsIt was a body blow to Zimbabwean efforts in the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa, when their best batter and the man with a century in his last Test, Brian Bennett, was ruled out of the remainder of the match. He was hit by a bouncer from Kwena Maphaka in the first session of Day 2 in Bulawayo on June 29 (Sunday).
After he was ruled out, Prince Masvaure was named as his concussion substitute, meaning he would replace Bennett for the further proceedings of the game.
Bennett was batting on 19 off 28 balls and had hit four fours. Having lost his partner, Nick Welch, in the last over, he was trying to evade himself from a bouncer by Maphaka, when it hit him on the head. The 22-year-old then batted for three more balls, before he finally decided to walk on.
Masvaure, a 36-year-old veteran, has featured in nine Tests so far for the country, having made his debut nine years ago in New Zealand in 2016 at the same venue. However, he has experience of 120 First-Class games in which he has scored 5790 runs and taken 85 wickets.
“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,” Zimbabwe cricket said in a statement on their official website.
Masvaure became only the second Zimbabwean to play in a Test after being named as a concussion substitute. The first one was Brian Mudzinganyama, who made his international debut as a concussion substitute against Sri Lanka in Harare, replacing Kevin Kasuza.