The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
PACE bowler Tendai Chatara is back in business after recovering from a quadriceps injury suffered in the second Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe last November.
The injury put the brakes on what was an impressive year for Chatara who took 30 wickets from 21 matches.
He also starred in Zimbabwe’s historic first away Test win in 17-years when the Chevrons beat Bangladesh by 151 runs in Slyhet last November. Zimbabwe Cricket team physio Anesu Mupotaringa confirmed the bowler’s return.
“The good thing is no surgery was required so he did physiotherapy treatment to strengthen his left quadriceps which suffered a grade two tear. He is back bowling,” said Mupotaringa on Chatara who is currently in action for the Mountaineers in a Logan Cup match against Tuskers at Harare Sports Club.
Chatara, who turns 28 this month, has worked hard on his art over the years with the man who discovered him, George Tandi, tipping the bowler to go all the way to the top. Tandi, who was born in Rusape and bred in Harare’s Glen Norah suburb, is one of the first black cricketers to receive a cricket scholarship and also to play for the Zimbabwe U19’s.
“I am not surprised to see him shine at this level, I saw his potential when he was young and I am happy he has lived up to that,” said Tandi.
“He is a humble kid, who is always in touch with me and we are always talking cricket and life.” On his part Chatara has nothing but kind words for Tandi.“He was my first coach, he knows me too well because it was him who taught me everything about bowling when I was doing grade five at Dangamvura Primary in Mutare.“I used to accompany friends to cricket but had little interest in the game. However, coach Tandi thought I was built to be a fast bowler so he urged me to go for it,” said the Chevrons pacer. Chatara, who is currently Zimbabwe’s 10th best ODI bowler with 85 wickets from 62 matches, is hungry for more scalps. “I would like to continue improving and win more games for Zimbabwe. I picked wickets in 2018 because we played more games and it’s sad that there is a big gap this year,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s series against India, which was scheduled for March, is now expected to be played after the World Cup which runs from May 30-July 14 in England and Wales.According to the Future Tours Programme, Zimbabwe’s next tour is of Ireland for three T20s and three T20s in July.
