Concussion Sidelines Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett for First Test Against South Africa

Brian Bennett Ruled Out of First Test Against South Africa After Concussion

Zimbabwe suffered a blow as opening batsman Brian Bennett has been ruled out of the ongoing first Test against South Africa due to a concussion.

Brian Bennett leaves the field after being struck on the helmet.

Bennett, who recently impressed with a score of 139 against England at Nottingham, was struck on the helmet while attempting a hook shot off a delivery from fast bowler Kwena Maphaka on day two. At the time of the incident, he had scored 19 runs off 24 balls.

Despite receiving immediate medical attention on the field, Bennett briefly resumed his innings. However, after facing three more balls from Codi Yusuf in the following over, he was forced to retire.

During the lunch break, Zimbabwe Cricket officially confirmed Bennett's withdrawal from the match. In accordance with concussion protocols, Prince Masvaure will replace him for the remainder of the Test.

The 21-year-old Bennett will take no further part in the match, with the concussion substitution now in effect.

In other news from the match, South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to score 150 in Test cricket. He scored 153 on his debut against Zimbabwe at the age of just 19 years and 93 days, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistan's Javed Miandad.

Pretorius also became the youngest South African to score a Test century, reaching the milestone off 112 balls and his 150 in just 157 balls.

Coming in with the score at 23-3, Pretorius, alongside fellow debutant Dewald Brevis (51), stabilized the innings with a quickfire 95-run partnership. Corbin Bosch, playing in his second Test, contributed a century, ending day one unbeaten after reaching 100 on the third-last ball.

South Africa, fielding three debutants and resting several senior players, concluded the day with a score of 418-9. Spinner Keshav Maharaj captained the team in their first Test match in Zimbabwe in 11 years. Despite surviving two close edge appeals, Pretorius capitalized on his luck to make a memorable debut.