Chatara breaks leg

Ngoni Dapira

ZIMBABWE’s fast bowler, Tendai Chatara will have to miss out on the Pakistan series until his injury is fully-recovered.

Chatara fractured his left leg in April while playing social soccer during the domestic off-season. The Zimbabwe Cricket physiotherapist, Anesu Mupotaringa had initially put him off action for six-months, which were supposed to lapse in September but according to Zimbabwe’s convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl, Chatara might only be back in form in December.

The 24-year old fast bowler is however set for his routine check-up next week Monday with the physiotherapist. Chatara who played all six of Zimbabwe’s matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup early this year emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 10 scalps at an average of 34.20. His absence will clearly be a heavy blow for the Chevrons.

The Pakistan series will consist of five matches that will be all played in Harare from next week Sunday to October 5.

The series will kick-off with T20 matches on September 27 and 29 followed by the One Day Internationals on October 1, 3 and 5.

Ziehl announced his provisional 16-man squad this week which had some new players bouncing back in the A-side, while the usual Mountaineers duo of experienced top order batsman Hamilton Masakadza and seamer Tinashe Panyangarara were roped in.The former Southern Rocks captain and Matabeleland Tuskers wicket-keeper Richmond Mutumbami made a comeback in the A-side. Mutumbami replaced Regis Chakabva in the squad that played against New Zealand in August. Pacer Taurai Muzarabani, was also included for both formats though uncapped in ODIs.

Malcolm Waller, who was dropped for the first two ODIs against New Zealand was also included in the 16-man squad.

While criticism has at large been centered on the Chevron’s bowling in the last encounter against New Zealand, taking ten wickets overall in three ODIs, including a wicket-less second match, Ziehl said his incorporation of more all-rounder’s would perk up that area.

“The most exciting all-rounder at the moment is Luke Jongwe but we have many options like captain Elton Chigumbura whose bowling has improved very much as well as Chamu Chibhabha, Masakadza and Muzarabani to mention a few,” said Ziehl in a interview on Tuesday.

He added that the Pakistan series squad was based on building a performance-related culture and giving a platform to the younger future players to prove their ability.

“We have a lot of cricket lined up with the Pakistan series, Ireland, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and also have a lot of youthful talent we want to test in international cricket. The young players are doing very well and the competition they are presenting is very healthy for the experienced, capped players not to relax. Even now, after we have drafted the provisional A-side, there is a lot of potential to draw from the 25-men side we will be working with during training for the Pakistan series,” said Ziehl.