Bennett’s role is to bat as long as he can: Raza

With 175 runs in three innings, including two fifties, opener Brian Bennett is Zimbabwe’s highest run-getter in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The 22-year-old, who is yet to be dismissed, has justified his anchor role.

Captain Sikandar Raza backed the young opener to continue to adopt the same approach despite the batter-friendly conditions in India in the Super Eight as compared to the Sri Lankan pitches where Zimbabwe played its group-stage matches.

“Brian Bennett is Brian Bennett. His role is just to bat as long as he can bat. While you may think I am being funny, but only people who understand Brian would know what I am talking about,” Raza said here on Sunday on the eve of the match against the West Indies. “His role is to bat. For as long as he can. That’s it. And that means 20 overs, 15 overs, 18 overs — doesn’t matter. Brian must just bat.”

Raza stressed that Zimbabwe — despite playing in India after 10 years — will not offer unfamiliarity with conditions as an excuse. “Some of us have played here (in India) as well and majority haven’t. But it’s not down to the fast outfield or the conditions or anything like that. If anything I think the weather is slightly more pleasant here,” Raza said.

“If our team or if an individual hasn’t had that experience, rather than counting or using that as an excuse, we can block that. It’s the same work that we do, it’s the same soil, the weather, the breeze, the outfield, the players. Instead of worrying about the lack of experience in India, the outfield, the ground, the stadium or whatever, we are going to enjoy each other’s company. We are going to see all of us if we can help one another with our notes in the training and put our best foot forward tomorrow”.