Online Reporter
brandon moyo, [email protected]
BRIAN Bennett announced himself as a star of the future with a record-breaking maiden One Day International (ODI) century, propelling Zimbabwe to a 49-run victory over Ireland at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The 21-year-old, promoted to open the batting for the series opener, scored a scintillating 169 off 163 balls. This feat made him the second youngest Zimbabwean centurion in ODI cricket after Sean Ervine against India in 2004. He joins an elite group of Zimbabwean batsmen including Dion Ebrahim, Alistair Campbell and Vusi Sibanda.
His 169 runs is now the fifth highest individual score for Zimbabwe in this format, trailing only Charles Coventry (194 vs Bangladesh in 2009), Hamilton Masakadza (178 vs Kenya in 2009), Sean Williams (174 vs USA in 2023) and Craig Wishart (172 vs Namibia in 2003).
Bennett also featured in the fourth highest second-wicket partnership for Zimbabwe in ODIs, alongside skipper Craig Ervine (136 runs). This partnership is surpassed only by Williams and Joylord Gumbie (160 vs USA in 2023), Gavin Rennie and Grant Flower (150 vs Kenya in 1997), and Travis Friend and Campbell (146 vs Kenya in 2002).
In just his seventh ODI for Zimbabwe, the youngster came within four runs of becoming only the second Zimbabwean batsman to carry his bat, a feat first achieved by Flower against England in 1994.
Zimbabwe, put in to bat, were restricted to 299/5 in their 50 overs. They then bowled out Ireland for 250 in 46 overs. Johnathan Campbell made his ODI debut for Zimbabwe.
Bennett and Ben Curran opened the batting, with Curran falling in the 19th over for 28 runs, after a 95-run opening partnership. The record-breaking second-wicket stand was broken by Graham Hume, who had Craig Ervine caught for 66 off 61 balls. It was the skipper’s 22nd ODI half-century. Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere both fell for eight runs.
Bennett’s brilliant innings ended with four balls remaining in the innings. Mark Adair, who took Bennett’s wicket, finished with figures of 2/55 from 10 overs. Josh Little, Hume and Andy McBrine each took one wicket for Ireland.
Defending the 300-run target, Zimbabwe made a dream start, with Richard Ngarava striking with the first ball, dismissing Andy Balbirnie for a golden duck. Zimbabwe continued to take wickets at regular intervals, preventing Ireland from building momentum.
Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, with impressive figures of 4/51 from nine overs. His pace-bowling partner, Richard Ngarava, took 3/56 from nine overs. Madhevere also bowled well, taking two wickets for 12 runs from two overs. Raza claimed the other wicket.
Curtis Campher top-scored for Ireland with 44 off 57 balls, while Harry Tector made 39 off 78 balls. George Dockrell scored 34 off 35 balls, and Paul Stirling contributed 32 off 28 balls.
Zimbabwe now lead the three-match series 1-0.
The second match is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue. — @brandon_malvin
