The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
A celebration for his 100th wicket had already been planned way before he boarded the plane to Sri Lanka, but when the moment arrived, Tendai Chatara was caught in the moment that he forgot to do what he had planned.
He also used the milestone to belatedly toast to the birth of his son and third-born, who arrived in September.
“Before leaving for Sri Lanka, I was confident that I would get my 100th wicket, and I wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the birth of my third child – who is my first son – born in September last year, hence I planned a celebration for the milestone,” said Chatara.
As Zimbabwe set their sights on a series win, they had to contend with the partnership of Charith Aslanka and Dinesh Chandimal, which was beginning to steady the hosts’ ship.
Up came Chatara, who claimed his 100th wicket by bowling out Aslanka.
“Like I said, I had plans on how to celebrate my 100th wicket … but unfortunately I was caught in the moment …
“It was a crucial wicket at the crucial time as we sought ways of ending the partnership that was threatening our series win. My mind was on how I wanted to push the game so that we could win the series that I ended up forgetting about the celebration.
“I was even reminded that I had taken my 100th wicket by teammates …”
Chatara became the sixth Chevrons player to reach the milestone, joining Grant Flower, Graeme Cremer, Raymond Price, Prosper Utseya and Heath Streak.
“It was really an exciting moment for me to finally get my 100th wicket.
“It feels good to be one of the seven Zimbabwe players to have achieved 100 wickets in the ODIs.”
He also became the fastest Zimbabwe bowler to a century of ODI wickets in 76 matches, surpassing the record of former captain and fast bowler Streak, who needed 81 matches to reach the landmark.
“I am happy with the contribution that I have made for the national team since I made my debut nine years ago. Seventy-six (76) matches for 100 wickets is something that is not easy in ODI matches.
“Obviously, to be the fastest bowler to reach the prized 100-wicket mark means that my contribution has made a difference to the team.”
The 30-year-old seamer feels the achievement was delayed by injuries in the past six years.
He had been targeting the Chevrons’ home series against Bangladesh to secure the ton.
“I had hoped to achieve the feat last when I returned to the national team after having suffered a bicep injury, but I was not yet 100 percent fit, hence I struggled during the Bangladesh series that I only got a single wicket in three matches.
“I was to miss the Ireland tour, but when our domestic season resumed, I was the best seamer with most wickets, so this gave me confidence going onto the Sri Lanka tour (as I was) fully aware that if I do well then I would equal the record.”
In 2015, the former Zimbabwe Under-19 player broke his shin, which kept him out of action for more than a year.
He later suffered a bicep injury in 2020.
“God’s time is always the best. Achieving the milestone has not been an easy.
“I have suffered from injuries in-between the time I made my debut until this day.
“In 2015, I broke my shin in two, forcing me out of the game for more than a year, and this was the time I was at my peak, and I thought my career in cricket was over …
“Through God’s intervention, I have bounced back and broke a record,” he said.
