Concussion Sidelines Zimbabwe's Bennett in First Test Against South Africa

Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett Ruled Out of First Test Against South Africa Following Concussion

Zimbabwean opening batsman Brian Bennett has been forced to withdraw from the first Test against South Africa after suffering a mild concussion.

Bennett, who recently impressed with a score of 139 against England while playing for Nottinghamshire, sustained the injury on day two of the Test. He was hit on the helmet while attempting a hook shot off a delivery from South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka. At the time of the incident, Bennett had scored 19 runs from 24 balls.

Despite immediate medical attention on the field, Bennett initially continued his innings, facing three more deliveries from Codi Yusuf. However, he was ultimately forced to retire from the field.

During the lunch break, Zimbabwe Cricket 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 play no further part in the match due to the concussion substitution.

In other news from the Test, South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player to score 150 in Test cricket. He achieved this feat with a score of 153 on debut against Zimbabwe at the age of just 19 years and 93 days, breaking 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 his hundred off 112 balls and his 150 in just 157 deliveries.

Coming in with the score at 23-3, Pretorius and fellow debutant Dewald Brevis (51) combined for a rapid 95-run partnership to rescue the South African innings. Corbin Bosch, playing in his second Test, contributed a century, finishing day one unbeaten after reaching 100 on the third-last ball of the day.

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