The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi – Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE pace bowler Tendai Chatara will be sidelined for at least four months after breaking his leg while playing social football in his hometown of Mutare.
The 24-year-old bowler, who picked 10 wickets at the recent ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, could miss all of Zimbabwe’s action this year.
Chatara, who calls himself Diego Costa when playing football, was in a bubbly mood as he recounted last weekend’s mishap.
Interestingly Costa, the Chelsea striker, is also sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“It was a collision with the goalkeeper and now it’s sad that ‘Diego Costa’ is out . . . it was a one-on-one incident, keeper to beat when we collided.
“But I will have to accept what has happened and hope for a speedy recovery.
“I was playing soccer to keep fit during the off-season and it’s unfortunate it had to come to this,” said Chatara.
Chevron physiotherapist Anesu Mupotaringa confirmed the bowler suffered a fracture on his left leg.
Mupotaringa also clarified that players are allowed to play sports of their choice during the off-season “although they need to be extra cautious.”
“He fractured his left tibia fibula, it’s a mid shaft fracture,” he said.
“He was playing social soccer when he collided with a goalkeeper, that’s how he got injured.
“It is quite a lengthy lay-off, at least 12 weeks for the fracture to heal.
“After that process it’s then the rehab process as the muscle recovers, depending on how he recovers, but that could take another month before he starts bowling.”
Mupotaringa added that Chatara is, however, fit to work on his core and upper body.
The national team’s bowling coach Dougie Hondo described the absence of Chatara for the Chevrons’ tour of Pakistan next month, the visit by India in July and New Zealand in August as a big blow.
“It is a big blow to the squad since he performed well at the World Cup,” Hondo said.
“All efforts will be made by the medical guys to try and bring him back safe, at the same time it’s an opportunity for other bowlers to step up.”
The former international pledged his support for the youngster, saying injuries also affect players psychologically.
“Everyone is behind him, a player might be affected psychologically by injuries, so it’s important for him to get all the necessary support he needs,” said Hondo, who also preached the message of caution when players decide to keep active rest during the off-season.
