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Brian Bennett is the real deal

Zimbabwe Cricket Forum 18 posts 207 views

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Opening post

OK I admit I haven't watched much of his innings vs Bangladesh or in the current series vs India...but his intent and his ability seem to be more than just a few good fluke strikes. Has only played 13 innings, and already has a top score of 70...but more important averages a very decent 25 and a terrific strike rate of 140+. Clearly he's the biggest talent at the moment of anyone under age 25 in the country.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ZCF OriginalLegend
Should be opening with Raza 😂
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
#BennettMania
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:06 pm

Should be opening with Raza 😂


No. He's doing fine where he is. Why fix one of the few things thats not broken?
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Veteran

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:38 pm


Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:06 pm

Should be opening with Raza 😂


No. He's doing fine where he is. Why fix one of the few things thats not broken?


Naqvi is suited at 5

Bennett is suited at 3

Raza prefer 4th

Campbell, Madande , burl prefer batting at 6th

Wes is not a good opening batter should bat down the

Order

Marumani and Kaia have failed at opening with pathetic averages..

So who should open ?

Nick Welch anyone!!!
Welch definitely needs to open
ZCF OriginalLegend

Kriterion_BD wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:38 pm


Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:06 pm

Should be opening with Raza 😂


No. He's doing fine where he is. Why fix one of the few things thats not broken?


That high score of 70 you mentioned, he got opening against you guys. In fact in that game Raza batted at 3, came in after 4 overs then him and Bennett put on 75 runs between them over the course of the next 11 overs. A real match winning partnership.
ZCF OriginalLegend
Is Welch even in the squad? 😂
ZCF Hall of Famer
I was hesitant to say Bennett is the real deal, until he faced proper opposition.

I was not sure whether his technique would be exposed, or if he was a BT style unorthodox prodigy.

Well, we have our answer now, and I am happy to say my trepidation was unfounded (others are a different story). What an outstanding player. This confidence and skillset is unreal.
ZCF OriginalVeteran
Hopefully this knock to the head isn't a major setback like what happened to Mark Vermeulen. He's probably never faced short-pitched bowling at pace before the England Test (after he had already score a century).
ZCF Hall of Famer
Aah bud these modern batters get plenty of quality fast and nasty side-arm. You get hit in this game, you've got a split second to make a plan.
Veteran
> Googly wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 10:24 am Aah bud these modern batters get plenty of quality fast and nasty side-arm. You get hit in this game, you've got a split second to make a plan.

When Ben Curran returns where will they put Bennet..

Current Test order..

Curran

BT

Nick

Sean

Craig

Raza
ZCF OriginalVeteran
I don't think it was ever the intention for Bennett to play this anchor role for the T20 World Cup , but he's had to adapt due to the slow SL pitches and it's clear Aus and SL did their homework on him, and they still couldn't get him out.

I think it's fair to say he's now faced some quality bowling and teams. Will be fantastic to see him bat against the real top-tier bowling of Bumrah, Jansen and Rabada.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Indian, South African, and even West Indian bowlers will be a step up from the hapless Australians and Omanis.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
This group is going to be extremely tricky. Watching the India SA game right now and India really do have all areas covered. This Varun is a strange bowler. Doesn't really turn it much but he varies his pace brilliantly, a little bit like Ajantha Mendis did when be came into the scene
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
I really would love to see SA pump the Indians here.

Pandya has shown a bit of a weakness in bowling at the death as well which I think can be targeted.
> sloandog wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:21 pm I really would love to see SA pump the Indians here. Pandya has shown a bit of a weakness in bowling at the death as well which I think can be targeted.

They pumped them!!!
> sloandog wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:21 pm I really would love to see SA pump the Indians here. Pandya has shown a bit of a weakness in bowling at the death as well which I think can be targeted.

A lot of these indians are out of form, not saying we have a chance, but our guys are in form and theirs aren't. Likely the best shot we would ever have.
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