Brian Bennett: The Rising Star Fueling Zimbabwe’s Cricket Revolution
A swelling fanbase has been in dreamland this past month as Zimbabwe have defied all expectations in the T20 World Cup. Veteran broadcaster Dean du Plessis, who was born blind, recognized a turning point in Zimbabwean cricket simply by the sound of the crowd. He distinguishes the game’s almost imperceptible audio shifts – a slower ball’s fractional delay, the scratch of spikes on the pitch – and in 2018, he sensed the sport was on the cusp of transformation.
“When I was a teenager, cricket in Zimbabwe was almost exclusively played and supported by white people,” Du Plessis recalls. “The energy was different, often fuelled by boisterous, even abusive, fans. That began to change during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. I remember the crowd chanting in Shona, dancing as they sang. It felt like this team was finally embraced by the majority of the country. Cricket was becoming a sport for everyone.”
From Rock Bottom to Super Eights
Zimbabwe’s recent success is even more remarkable considering their recent struggles. Just seven years ago, they failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, a devastating blow. The nadir came in 2023, with qualification failures for both the 50-over World Cup and the expanded T20 World Cup, culminating in a loss to Uganda. Yet, Du Plessis remained optimistic, embodying the Zimbabwean spirit of holding both hope and pessimism in equal measure.
“All Zimbabweans are able to hold optimism and pessimism in their hearts at the same time,” he explains. “You never fully accept things will come right for good. But you also never fully lose hope. Without that optimism, we’d all sink into despair.”
The Power of Experience and New Talent
Hope, however, needs a foundation. Zimbabwe has played more T20 internationals than many top teams in the lead-up to this World Cup – 55 since the defeat to Uganda, surpassing New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and England. Crucially, they’ve built on existing talent. Captain Sikandar Raza, who led the team against Uganda, emphasizes the team’s responsibility: “We got Zimbabwe in this mess, so to take Zimbabwe to new cricketing heights, it’s our job.”
Alongside Raza, players like Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl, and Blessing Muzarabani have been instrumental in the turnaround. But the emergence of new stars has been equally vital. Enter Brian Bennett, the 22-year-old opener who has been a revelation. With scores of 48*, 64, and 63, Bennett consistently provided explosive starts before his dismissal against West Indies for five. His dynamic batting has injected fresh energy into the team.
Adding further depth, the experienced Graeme Cremer has returned after a seven-year hiatus, providing valuable leg-spin options. The team’s connection with its fans, exemplified by the “Castle Corner” group who were invited into the dressing room after the win over Sri Lanka, is a testament to the growing national support.
Looking Ahead
Zimbabwe will host the Under-19 World Cup this year and co-host the 2027 men’s 50-over World Cup with South Africa and Namibia. While Du Plessis cautions against complacency, he believes this momentum could be transformative. “We’ve been through too much to ever relax. But maybe that’s a good thing. Hopefully, that means we won’t be complacent. It’s great to feel something other than shame for this team. I hope this can catapult them forward.”
For years, Zimbabwean cricket oscillated between chaos and silence. Now, even after defeats, the singing continues. As Du Plessis suggests, change is often heard before it is seen, and the sound of a nation embracing its cricket team is a powerful indicator of a brighter future. You can learn more about Zimbabwe’s cricket journey at ICC Cricket.
