Concussion Blow for Bennett —Is Prince Masvaure Steps Up for Zimbabwe?

June 29, 2025: Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett has been ruled out of the ongoing 1st Test against South Africa after suffering a concussion on Day 2 of the match. The right-hander was struck on the helmet by a sharp bouncer from South African pacer Kwena Maphaka while attempting an aggressive shot.

At the time of the incident, Bennett was batting on 19 off 25 balls. Though he initially continued after receiving on-field medical attention, he retired hurt in the following over. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed during the lunch break that Bennett would take no further part in the match.

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Prince Masvaure Named Concussion Substitute

Following standard concussion protocols, Zimbabwe have brought in Prince Masvaure as a like-for-like replacement. The 37-year-old left-handed batter last played a Test in July 2024 against Ireland, where he scored a gritty half-century. With over 5,700 First-Class runs under his belt, Masvaure brings experience to the Zimbabwe lineup.

Bennett’s Recent Form

The setback comes at a crucial time for Bennett, who had scored a commanding 139 in Zimbabwe’s recent one-off Test against England in Nottingham. In just seven Tests, Bennett has already registered four fifty-plus scores, including two centuries, signaling his potential as a rising star for Zimbabwe.

What is a Concussion Substitute in Cricket?

The concept of a concussion substitute was introduced by the ICC in 2019. It allows a “like-for-like” replacement when a player is ruled out due to a head injury during an international match. The first instance occurred during the 2019 Ashes series when Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith at Lord’s after Smith was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer.

The substitution is only approved after review by the ICC Match Referee to ensure compliance with the like-for-like rule.

South Africa had earlier declared their first innings at 418/9.