The ManicaPost
Ray Bande and Takudzwa Manzero
ZIMBABWE pace spearhead, Tendai Chatara’s collarbone injury on Tuesday means that the talented Dangamvura-born cricket player will miss more than the ongoing T20 World Cup qualifier.
TC, as he is affectionately known has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B 2022 in Bulawayo after he suffered a collarbone fracture on Tuesday.
“It is painful to be injured at a moment when we have a number of important matches ahead. Any other player in the squad would have wished to pull through and play their part in these important matches, and I am no exception.
“Nonetheless, there is really nothing we can do about it. I just have to concentrate on my recovery so that I can continue playing my part in the team,” Chatara told Post Sport on Wednesday.
The experienced bowler sustained the injury when he landed on his right shoulder while fielding during the group match against Jersey.
An orthopaedic specialist has recommended surgical intervention to deal with the right clavicle fracture.
Chatara is expected to be sidelined from action for at least two months.
Tony Munyonga was called up as his replacement.
Not so long ago, Chatara battled a bicep injury that troubled him for almost a year, but later returned to action with more hunger for success when Zimbabwe played limited-overs series in Ireland and Scotland.
Zimbabwe were set to face the United States of America in a Group A decider at Queens Sports Club on Thursday (yesterday) afternoon, although both teams are already through to the semi-finals scheduled for Friday (today).
The teams that make it into the final, set for Sunday, will clinch the two remaining spots at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to be held in Australia in October.
Meanwhile, Mutare’s Blast Cricket Academy beat Mashonaland East Cricket Academy by five wickets in an Under-14s match played at Mutare Sports Club last week.
Mashonaland East Cricket Academy (MECA) won the toss and elected to bat first.
They scored 142 runs in 27 overs, but the hosts led by Takudzwa Nhaimo (with 58 runs not out) rose to the occasion and clinched the match by five wickets.
Early in the match, MufaroTsvotizei of MECA had put pressure on the hosts with a brilliant batting performance that laid the foundation to the target score.
However, his efforts were in vain as Blast Cricket Academy’s Thamil Shomi tormented the visiting side’s top order with impressive personal best bowling figures of 5-31.
Speaking to Post Sport after the match, an elated Nhaimo who was voted the man-of-the-match said: “I am happy with our performance as a team. We managed to chase down a good score, thanks to the support from our parents and coaches who kept urging us forward even as the wickets fell.
“Today’s match boosted our confidence for the next fixture in Rusape later this month.”
Blast Academy Cricket head coach, Edison Munetsi, chipped in and said: “I am proud of the boys’ performance. They approached the match with confidence and put up a consistent performance with both the bat and ball during the match. I am happy to be part of such a talented group with bright futures ahead of them.”
MECA coach, Kudzanai Marawanyika praised his charges for putting up a good fight.
“After travelling from Marondera, the boys put up a good fight. Unfortunately, we put up an easy target and failed to take early wickets to cripple their run chase. We lost to the better team of the day. We will travel back to our base with our heads high,” said Marawanyika.
Blast Cricket Academy is a grassroots cricket development institution comprising of young boys and girls between the ages of five to 14.
It is a registered academy under Zimbabwe Cricket. It works hand in hand with Hillcrest College to nurture Mutare based talent for a professional sporting career.
