Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett had to be replaced by a concussion substitute after being hit on the helmet while batting in the first Test against South Africa. Find the full list of concussion substitutes in Test cricket here.
Yesterday, South Africa scored 418-9 after electing to bat first, thanks to a record-breaking century on Test debut from 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and a first professional hundred from fast bowler Corbin Bosch. They declared overnight, allowing Zimbabwe to begin batting on day two.
Debutant Codi Yusuf struck twice early on to remove Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch, leaving the hosts at 23-2 in the fifth over. Off the final ball of the sixth over, teenage left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka sent down a bouncer to opener Brian Bennett, which the batter attempted to hook.
He missed, and the ball struck Bennett flush on the helmet. He appeared dazed initially, and went through a concussion test on field before continuing to bat. However, barely an over later, he left the field retired hurt, with broadcast commentators speculating that he had suffered a delayed concussion.
Brian Bennett ruled out of Bulawayo Test, replaced by Prince Masvaure
Shortly after the end of the first session, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) issued an official statement reading, “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. He was struck on the helmet while attempting a hook shot off the final delivery of the sixth over bowled by Kwena Maphaka.
“At the time of the incident, Bennett had scored 19 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries. 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.”
Read more: How the ICC is changing concussion sub rules to close loopholes exploited by India
Masvaure is the 19th concussion substitute in Test cricket, since the rule came into effect on August 1, 2019. He is the fourth from Zimbabwe, after Brian Mudzinganyama, Timycen Maruma and Victor Nyauchi.
Concussion substitutes in Test cricket: Full list of players
| Concussed player | Replaced by | Team | Opponent | Venue | Match Start Date |
| Steve Smith | Marnus Labuschagne | Australia | England | Lord's | August 14, 2019 |
| Darren Bravo | Jermaine Blackwood | West Indies | India | Kingston | August 30, 2019 |
| Dean Elgar | Theunis de Bruyn | South Africa | India | Ranchi | October 19, 2019 |
| Litton Das | Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Bangladesh | India | Kolkata | November 22, 2019 |
| Nayeem Hasan | Taijul Islam | Bangladesh | India | Kolkata | November 22, 2019 |
| Kevin Kasuza | Brian Mudzinganyama | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka | Harare | January 19, 2020 |
| Kevin Kasuza | Timycen Maruma | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka | Harare | January 27, 2020 |
| Nkrumah Bonner | Kieran Powell | West Indies | South Africa | St Lucia | June 10, 2021 |
| Jeremy Solozano | Shai Hope | West Indies | Sri Lanka | Galle | November 21, 2021 |
| Yasir Ali | Nurul Hasan | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Chattogram | November 26, 2021 |
| Vishwa Fernando | Kasun Rajitha | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | Chattogram | May 15, 2022 |
| Jack Leach | Matt Parkinson | England | New Zealand | Lord's | June 2, 2022 |
| Nkrumah Bonner | Shamarh Brooks | West Indies | Australia | Perth | November 30, 2022 |
| David Warner | Matt Renshaw | Australia | India | Delhi | February 17, 2023 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Bahir Shah | Afghanistan | Bangladesh | Mirpur | June 14, 2023 |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | July 24, 2023 |
| Chamika Gunasekara | Kasun Rajitha | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | Colombo (SSC) | February 2, 2024 |
| Tanaka Chivanga | Victor Nyauchi | Zimbabwe | Ireland | Belfast | July 25, 2024 |
| Brian Bennett | Prince Masvaure | Zimbabwe | South Africa | Bulawayo | June 28, 2025 |
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
