Brian Bennett is the real deal

[Kriterion_BD]

I’m not saying he’s world class yet. But this is the closest thing since the Big 4 and that’s been 20 years! Little less for Raza.

Now if he cracks half that score against Bumrah and Co or Starc and Co, yes I won’t hesitate to say he’s world class because those are some phenomenal bowling attacks.

Ireland are probably the 10-12th ranked bowling attack so definitely useful.

[Pat_Bee]

. We don't know if his unusual technique will hold against a top 8 team, let alone a top 4.

When is this ever going to happen though?

We play Afghan, Ireland, occasionally Pakistan C and associates at African games and qualifiers.

This England test will be the last time we ever play a top side and even then it won’t be a full strength England.

[ZIMDOGGY]

. We don't know if his unusual technique will hold against a top 8 team, let alone a top 4.

When is this ever going to happen though?

We play Afghan, Ireland, occasionally Pakistan C and associates at African games and qualifiers.

This England test will be the last time we ever play a top side and even then it won’t be a full strength England.

Somewhat true, but they do pepper Pakistan and Sri Lanka amongst it.
How we fare against England will be a marker of how many proper teams play us.
I hope they did quotas for that tour and I suspect they will.

[Kriterion_BD]

Somewhat true, but they do pepper Pakistan and Sri Lanka amongst it.
How we fare against England will be a marker of how many proper teams play us.
I hope they did quotas for that tour and I suspect they will.

The last Pakistan touring side was an A team for the most part, IIRC. Granted Pakistan all time best team would still drop a game per series to Zimbabwe U-23. Asides from that, Afghanistan are much more of a "proper" side in many respects than Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh. They finished 5th in the ODI world cup - had they beaten a woeful BD side, they'd have breezed into the semis. They did one better in T20 and made the actual semi-finals outright.

[Andybligzz]

Can only make runs against what is in front of you, he’s got two format tons in his very early age and very early playing career. 160 odd at his age is awesome no matter what anyone says, he does look a bit suspect outside off stump while driving, but overall he reads the game well and seems very calm. For us this is a great find no matter what, we have been screaming for a young player like him to do this for a very long time. Considering we barely get to play the big teams anymore it’s not something he is going to have to worry about in terms of facing world class elite attacks like aus, eng, New Zealand and South Africa. Teams like Afghanistan and Ireland he has proven himself already and a half century against Bangladesh as well in t20 ( not a top 8 attack at all again ) but the signs are extremely positive. He’s learning his craft on the international stage and seems to be learning very fast, sink or swim and he’s swimming.

[Googly]

Except we're playing a couple of big teams very soon.

[Kriterion_BD]

The other thing Bennett's rise demonstrates is how much other youngsters like Wez, Marumani, and Shumba have struggled or how limited a guy like Gumbie is.

Bennett has played a grand total of 16 innings across Tests and ODIs, and already has 2 hundreds at the age of 21. Contrast that with Madhevere who's played 40+ innings and doesn't have any. Or Marumani who's played nearly 20, and has yet to cross 50 even.

Now Wez looks like he's getting his act together, but BB and the likes of Curran, Welch, and Myers if he gets back into form will actually avert the disaster that most of us thought was imminently unavoidable once the Big 3 retired.

Also a shout out to Ervine, Williams, and Raza for still being in form as they approach 40. Thats actually a pretty rare feat that should be appreciated.

[Googly]

Try 115 caps for Wes and 60 for Maru. 38 for Dion and 51 for Clive Madande.

That's why everyone bleats about them. A couple of good innings doesn't justify the good players they've kept out.
If they kick on it almost justifies it, but not quite. Where would other players be now with this type of exposure??

[Kriterion_BD]

Try 115 caps for Wes and 60 for Maru. 38 for Dion and 51 for Clive Madande.

That's why everyone bleats about them. A couple of good innings doesn't justify the good players they've kept out.
If they kick on it almost justifies it, but not quite. Where would other players be now with this type of exposure??

I'm only including Tests and ODIs because too many teams have T20I status now. Records against Lesotho or Brunei don't count.