Brian Bennett (cricketer)
{{short description|Zimbabwean cricketer (born 2003)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Brian Bennett
| image =
| fullname = Brian John Bennett
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|11|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Harare, Zimbabwe
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm off break
| role = Batsman
| country = Zimbabwe
| internationalspan = 2023–present
| international = true
| testdebutdate = 25 July
| testdebutyear = 2024
| testdebutagainst = Ireland
| testcap = 127
| lasttestdate = 22 May
| lasttestyear = 2025
| lasttestagainst = England
| odidebutdate = 24 November
| odidebutyear = 2024
| odidebutagainst = Pakistan
| odicap = 157
| lastodidate = 18 February
| lastodiyear = 2025
| lastodiagainst = Ireland
| T20Idebutdate = 7 December
| T20Idebutyear = 2023
| T20Idebutagainst = Ireland
| T20Icap = 75
| lastT20Idate = 25 February
| lastT20Iyear = 2025
| lastT20Iagainst = Ireland
| club1 = Mountaineers
| year1 = 2022/23–present
| clubnumber1 =
| club2 =
| year2 =
| clubnumber2 =
| columns = 4
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 7
| runs1 = 460
| bat avg1 = 38.33
| 100s/50s1 = 2/2
| top score1 = 139
| deliveries1 = 408
| wickets1 = 6
| bowl avg1 = 41.00
| fivefor1 = 1
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 5/95
| catches/stumpings1 = 11/–
| column2 = ODI
| matches2 = 9
| runs2 = 327
| bat avg2 = 36.33
| 100s/50s2 = 1/0
| top score2 = 169
| deliveries2 = 20
| wickets2 = 0
| bowl avg2 = –
| fivefor2 = –
| tenfor2 = –
| best bowling2 = –
| catches/stumpings2 = 3/–
| column3 = T20I
| matches3 = 30
| runs3 = 692
| bat avg3 = 24.71
| 100s/50s3 = 0/3
| top score3 = 91
| deliveries3 = 98
| wickets3 = 6
| bowl avg3 = 22.50
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 2/20
| catches/stumpings3 = 11/–
| column4 = FC
| matches4 = 21
| runs4 = 1348
| bat avg4 = 40.84
| 100s/50s4 = 4/7
| top score4 = 264*
| deliveries4 = 1080
| wickets4 = 17
| bowl avg4 = 42.41
| fivefor4 = 1
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 5/95
| catches/stumpings4 = 19/–
| date = 26 May 2025
| source =
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/brian-bennett-1071484 Cricinfo
|module = {{Infobox medal templates|titlestyle=background-color: lightsteelblue;|expand=yes
|medals = {{MedalCountry|{{ZIM}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's Cricket}}
{{MedalCompetition|African Games}}
{{MedalGold|2023 Accra|Team}}
}}
}}
Brian John Bennett (born 10 November 2003) is a Zimbabwean cricketer who plays for Zimbabwe internationally in all three formats of the game. His twin brother David Bennett is also a professional cricketer.
Career
Bennett was included alongside his twin brother David in Zimbabwe national under-19 cricket team for the 2022 Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup. In fact, Bennett was appointed as the vice-captain of the Zimbabwean squad ahead of the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.{{Cite web |last=icc |date=2022-01-07 |title=ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Group C Preview |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/icc-under-19-mens-cricket-world-cup-group-c-preview |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}} He had a prolific tournament with the bat, where he ended up the 2022 edition of the Under-19 World Cup on a higher note in batting perspective as Zimbabwe's top runscorer with an aggregate of 273 runs in across six matches, including of three half-centuries and his runs came at an healthy average of 45.50, with a scintillating strike rate of 84.52 and he also picked up four wickets in the tournament.{{Cite web |last=icc |date=2022-02-03 |title=Top run-scorers of the 2022 U19 World Cup |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/u19cricketworldcup/news/top-run-scorers-of-the-2022-u19-world-cup |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=icc |date=2022-02-04 |title=U19 World Cup: How every team fared in the West Indies |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/u19-world-cup-how-every-team-fared-in-the-west-indies |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bennett hopes to keep runs flowing |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/bennett-hopes-to-keep-runs-flowing/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=The Herald |language=en}} His emergence in youth level caught the eyes of the selectors and within a space of ten months, he earned his maiden call-up to join the senior domestic set up in order to play top-flight first-class cricket matches.
He made his first-class debut for Mountaineers against Mashonaland Eagles in the 2022–23 Logan Cup on 11 December 2022.{{Cite web |title=Brian Bennett Profile - Cricket Player Zimbabwe {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/brian-bennett-1071484 |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Eagle vs Mount, Logan Cup 2022/23 at Harare, December 11 - 14, 2022 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/logan-cup-2022-23-1335411/mashonaland-eagles-vs-mountaineers-1335429/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} His first-class debut was itself came under the serendipitous circumstance, as he was announced as a concussion substitute for Spencer Magodo and Bennett walked out to bat at number five position during Mountaineers's second innings.{{Cite web |title=Good feeling for Bennett on first-class debut |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/good-feeling-for-bennett-on-first-class-debut/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=The Herald |language=en}} Magodo was ruled out retired hurt after a blow to his head in the second innings of Mountaineers during the fixture between Mountaineers and Eagles on 11 December 2022. He made his T20 debut for Mountaineers against Lions on 20 February 2023 during the 2022–23 Zimbabwe Domestic Twenty20 Competition.{{Cite web |title=LIONS vs MOUNT Cricket Scorecard, 2nd Match at Harare, February 20, 2023 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-domestic-twenty20-2022-23-1360019/lions-zimbabwe-vs-mountaineers-2nd-match-1360026/full-scorecard |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He made his List A debut for Mountaineers against Southern Rocks on 27 October 2023 during the 2023–24 Pro50 Championship.{{Cite web |title=ROCKS vs MOUNT Cricket Scorecard, 6th Match at Masvingo, October 27, 2023 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pro50-championship-2023-24-1402932/southern-rocks-vs-mountaineers-6th-match-1402937/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}
Bennett got his first international call up during the Irish tour of Zimbabwe in 2023–24 and made his T20I debut during the three match T20I series on 7 December 2023.{{Cite web |title=Uncapped Bennett and Gwandu called up in Zimbabwe's squad for Ireland T20Is |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/brian-bennett-and-trevor-gwandu-called-up-in-zimbabwe-squad-for-ireland-t20is-1411637 |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwe name new faces for Ireland T20Is |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3808387 |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Raza stars again as Zimbabwe edge Ireland in last-ball thriller |url=https://zimcricket.org/news/2601/Raza-stars-again-as-Zimbabwe-edge-Ireland-in-last-ball-thriller |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=zimcricket.org}} On 18 January 2024, he scored 29 runs off 12 balls against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I match of the three-match T20I series, where he signalled his first real intent of scoring and he announced his arrival to international cricket, but during the same match rest of the Zimbabwean batters faltered to make an impact and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 82 runs.{{Cite web |title=Cricket scorecard - Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 3rd T20I, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024 |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/86882/sl-vs-zim-3rd-t20i-zimbabwe-tour-of-sri-lanka-2024 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}} in February 2024, he received spotlight and widespread attention from cricketing fraternity after his unbeaten knock of 264 against Mashonaland Eagles during the 2023–24 Logan Cup and his innings came in a run-a-ball fashion facing only 259 deliveries and his knock included 33 fours and three sixes.{{Cite web |title=EAGLE vs MOUNT Cricket Scorecard, 19th Match at Harare, February 15 - 17, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/logan-cup-2023-24-1402934/mashonaland-eagles-vs-mountaineers-19th-match-1402975/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In March 2024, he was included in Zimbabwe's contingent for the 2023 African Games and he represented Zimbabwe Emerging Team in the men's cricket tournament at the 2023 African Games.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-01 |title=Team Zimbabwe unveiled for the African Games to be held in Ghana |url=https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/team-zimbabwe-unveiled-for-the-african-games-to-be-held-in-ghana |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=The Sunday Mail |language=en-GB}} Zimbabwe eventually claimed gold medal in the African Games cricket tournament defeating Namibia by 8 wickets in the final.{{Cite web |title=NAM vs ZM-EM Cricket Scorecard, Final at Accra, March 23, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/african-games-2023-24-1424737/namibia-vs-zimbabwe-emerging-players-final-1424767/full-scorecard |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Zimbabwe |first=New |date=2024-03-24 |title=Chevrons win gold medal at African Games after decimating Namibia in final |url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chevrons-win-gold-medal-at-african-games-after-decimating-namibia-in-final/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=NewZimbabwe.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-24 |title=Zimbabwe end African Games run with gold |url=https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zim-end-african-games-run-with-gold |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=The Sunday Mail |language=en-GB}}
In July 2024, he received his maiden call-up to join Zimbabwe's Test squad for their one-off test match against Ireland.{{Cite web |title=Zimbabwe announce squad for first ever Test against Ireland |url=https://www.zimcricket.org/news/3097/Zimbabwe-announce-squad-for-first-ever-Test-against-Ireland |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=zimcricket.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-12 |title=Madande, Bennett, Campbell get maiden Test call-ups for Zimbabwe |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ire-vs-zim-clive-madande-brian-bennett-johnathan-campbell-get-maiden-test-call-ups-for-zimbabwe-for-tour-of-ireland-1443132?platform=amp |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} He eventually made his Test debut on 25 July 2024 against Ireland.{{Cite web |title=IRE vs ZIM Cricket Scorecard, Only Test at Belfast, July 25 - 28, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ireland-vs-zimbabwe-2024-1431077/ireland-vs-zimbabwe-only-test-1431085/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In November 2024, he was included in Zimbabwe's ODI and T20I squads to face-off Pakistan.{{Cite web |last=icc |date=2024-11-18 |title=Mix of experience and youth in Zimbabwe's white-ball squads for Pakistan series |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/mix-of-experience-and-youth-in-zimbabwe-s-white-ball-squads-for-pakistan-series |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en}} He made his ODI debut on 24 November 2024 against Pakistan.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-24 |title=Who Are The Five Debutants In The First Zimbabwe-Pakistan ODI? {{!}} ZIM v PAK 2024 {{!}} Cricket News Today |url=https://www.wisden.com/series/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-m-2024/cricket-news/who-are-the-five-debutants-in-the-first-zimbabwe-pakistan-odi |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Wisden |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=ZIM vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 1st ODI at Bulawayo, November 24, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1444642/zimbabwe-vs-pakistan-1st-odi-1444649/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}
In December 2024, during first Test match of the two-match test series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Bulawayo, Bennett notched up his maiden Test century.{{Cite web |title=Ervine, Bennett tons headline Zimbabwe's day |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2024-25-1457916/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-1st-test-1457926/match-report |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} During the process, he became the second youngest Zimbabwean to score a test century after Hamilton Masakadza at the age of 21 and it was only Bennett's second test match appearance.{{Cite web |last=projects |first=Webdev-Fintech web |date=2024-12-28 |title=. . . Brian Bennett silences critics with historic ton |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/brian-bennett-silences-critics-with-historic-ton/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}} He eventually ended up unbeaten on 110 off just 124 deliveries as Zimbabwe also registered their highest test team total of 586 and his innings included five fours and four sixes.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-12-27 |title=ZIM vs AFG: Zimbabwe sets new record, registers its highest total in Test matches |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/zim-vs-afg-zimbabwe-record-highest-total-in-tests-stats-sean-williams-craig-ervine-brian-bennett-centuries/article69033937.ece/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nayak |first=Rathnam |date=2024-12-27 |title=Twitter Reactions: Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett tons power Zimbabwe to their highest Test total on Day 2 |url=https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-craig-ervine-brian-bennett-tons-power-zimbabwe-to-their-highest-test-total-on-day-2/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=CricTracker |language=en}} Later in the same match he took his first Test match five-wicket haul, recording figures of 5/95.{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/boxing-day-test-afghanistan-and-zimbabwe-bash-7-tons-breaking-all-records-rahmat-shah-hashmatullah-shahidi-11735565672942.html|title=Boxing Day Test: Afghanistan and Zimbabwe smash 7 tons, break all records|publisher=Mint|accessdate=31 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/record-day-afghanistan-test-ends-draw-2024-12-30/|title=Record day for Afghanistan but test ends in a draw|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=31 December 2024}}
Bennett compiled his maiden ODI century scoring 169 off 163 balls in Zimbabwe's 49 run win over Ireland at the Harare Sports Club on 14 February 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c4g316y7xmgo|title=Bennett's 169 helps Zimbabwe beat Ireland in ODI|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=15 February 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=1071484}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Brian}}
Category:Zimbabwean cricketers
Category:Zimbabwe Test cricketers
Category:Zimbabwe Twenty20 International cricketers
Category:Zimbabwe One Day International cricketers
Category:21st-century Zimbabwean sportsmen
Category:Cricketers from Harare
Category:Cricketers at the 2023 African Games