Brian Bennett injured by Rajasthan Royals pacer’s vicious delivery, ruled out of ZIM-SA Test

Zimbabwe National Cricket Team opener Brian Bennett has been ruled out of the ongoing first Test match against South Africa at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo after suffering a mild concussion on Day 2 of the game on June 29.

The incident unfolded in the sixth over of Zimbabwe's first innings when Brian Bennett attempted a hook shot off South African pacer Kwena Maphaka and was struck on the helmet by the final delivery of the over at the Queens Sports Club.

Brian Bennett struck on the helmet, ruled out of the 1st Zimbabwe vs South Africa Test

At the time of the blow, Bennett was batting at 19 runs from 28 balls, hitting four boundaries. However, following the head impact, medical staff assessed him and diagnosed a mild concussion. According to the concussion protocols, Bennett is not allowed to take further part in the game.

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Following the incident, the hosts, the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team, have brought in Prince Masvaure as a concussion substitute for Bennett. Prince Masvaure has so far played 9 Tests for Zimbabwe.

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Meanwhile, South Africa declared their first innings at 418/9 on the back of a record-breaking performance from the debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed 153 runs off 160 balls, and a stunning century from Corbin Bosch. The duo also added 108 runs for the seventh wicket.

For the hosts, Tanaka Chivanga scalped four wickets while Blessing Muzarabani took two scalps against the Proteas side. In reply to South Africa’s first-innings massive total, the Zimbabwean team had a poor start, losing the opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano for a duck in the first over.

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However, they still have a long way to go in this test, but they'll take positives from their fightback in the latter part of the first session. After early blows, losing Kaitano, Nick Welch (4), and Brian Bennett (19) to a bouncer, captain Craig Ervine and Sean Williams steadied the ship.

Ervine and Williams stitched a very crucial 91-run partnership off 160 balls for the fourth wicket to bring the hosts back into the game. However, South Africa's Codi Yusuf kept things tight, but young pacer Kwena Maphaka was struggling with the ball.

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Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch kept the pressure on, but once the ball lost its shine, the Zimbabwean batters found scoring easier and picked up the pace. There were a few nervous moments with edges flying past the slips, but the duo held firm.

However, South Africa’s stand-in captain and seasoned spinner Keshav Maharaj broke the dangerous stand between Craig Ervine and Sean Williams. With Ervine’s wicket, Maharaj completed his 200 Test wickets. Spotting the Zimbabwe captain stepping out early, Maharaj tossed it wide outside off with a shorter length, drawing Ervine forward.

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The ball dipped and spun sharply, beating Ervine's bat and sneaking through the gap. Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne was quick to react and whipped off the bails with precision. Ervine was stumped for 36 off 90 balls, leaving Zimbabwe in trouble at 119/3.

But Sean Williams is batting brilliantly and racing towards his hundred. The former captain found the support from Wesley Madhevere to revive Zimbabwe’s innings. They have already added 48 runs for the fifth wicket as the hosts’ current score stands at 167/3 against South Africa.