Brian Bennett doesn't see himself as an anchor

CHENNAI: Shortly after his valiant unbeaten 97 against India in a losing cause on Thursday, Zimbabwe’s top batter Brian Bennett had to calmly introduce himself — “I’m Brian Bennett”. It was an oversight by a journalist who failed to recognise Zimbabwe’s top batter, but he can’t be blamed completely.

The opener has largely flown under the radar despite his phenomenal debut World Cup run. Bennett has racked up 277 runs at a strike rate of 135.78, dismissed just once in five outings, and currently sits second on the tournament’s batting charts. In modern T20 cricket, where traditional anchors are increasingly rare, Bennett has quietly been playing the role for Zimbabwe with all the calm and cricketing brains it demands.



Yet the 22-year-old begs to differ with the ‘anchor’ label. “I wouldn’t say it’s too much of an anchor role. I just try to do the simple things better ... to give Zimbabwe a good start in the Power Play and then sort of just carry on that momentum throughout the middle periods with the likes of (Sikandar) Raza, the guys who can hit the big sixes. I do go out there and try to play positive cricket and play at a higher strike rate. Sri Lanka was a bit different. The pitches weren’t as good as they are here. So maybe lower strike rate came into play.”

He doesn’t have the flash and flair of a power hitter, but that doesn’t mean he is less effective. “I don’t really do much power hitting. I think for me, as more of a stroke player, I try to get into good positions ... If I’m in a strong position and I can get my hands to the ball, I get the best chance to hit those sixes,” said Bennett.

Earlier on Thursday at Chepauk, he exactly demonstrated the value of timing and positioning when he muscled the world’s leading T20 bowler, Jasprit Bumrah over long-on to celebrate his third half-century in four World Cup innings in emphatic fashion. A shot that left everyone in awe.

“I think Jasprit is always going to be a tough one to face. My thought process was just watch the ball as close as I can and just let my body do the actions. The ball was in my zone and I just hit it,” Bennett said.

Bennett also showcased an array of eyecatching strokes, including a clever scoop, against India’s decorated bowlers. “You practise those shots in the nets leading up to tournaments like this and the field normally tells you where the bowler is going to bowl. So the scoop was for pace-on yorkers. I thought that’s a good option with fine leg and third man up. Yeah, and it’s just literally keeping that clear mind,” said Bennett.

Zimbabwe’s breakthrough Super Eight will be remembered for many reasons, but above all, remember the name — Brian Bennett.




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