Tendai Chatara
Chatara fielded and bowled 16 overs for Zimbabwe A for the greater part of Friday, but finished the first day of the three-day practicematch against New Zealand at Harare Sports Club struggling with his run-up and limping because of pain in his left ankle.
On Saturday morning, the ankle had swollen and he was walking with a limp. Treatment and strapping did not help and he had to sit out the whole day.
Given that the ankle complaint is a recurrence of an old injury and Chatara’s role would be to spearhead the Zimbabwe attack, Zimbabwe A physiotherapist Travor Wambe has recommended that the 25-year-old bowler be replaced.
The national selection panel has since called up Michael Chinouya. The Mid-West Rhinos fast bowler has been training with the Zimbabwe A squad since mid-June.
Chinouya has played two One-Day International matches for Zimbabwe – both at home against India three years ago – and will be making his Test debut if chosen to play in Bulawayo. He has played 65 first-class matches.
However, the national selectors will be hoping they do not have to sit again before the first Test, which starts at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday to choose a replacement for Tinotenda Mawoyo.
The Zimbabwe opener retired hurt after facing three balls in the Zimbabwe A first innings against New Zealand on Saturday. He was complaining of pain in his right thumb which was hit by a ball while he was batting for the Zimbabwe A team against South Africa A at Queens a week ago.
An x-ray on Saturday revealed no fracture and Mawoyo will fly to Bulawayo on Monday morning, to join the Zimbabwe squad preparing for the first Test against New Zealand.
He will continue with treatment, and senior national team physiotherapist Anesu  Mupotaringa will then assess his fitness for the first Test.
Another Zimbabwe A player who was injured during the practice match against New Zealand is top-order batsman Nkosana Mpofu. He injured his right knee while fielding towards the end of play on Friday and could not move the joint without discomfort.
An ultrasound scan for suspected ligament damage proved negative and Mpofu was able to open the Zimbabwe A batting with Mawoyo in the first innings on Saturday and Vusumuzi Sibanda in the second innings on Sunday.
Post published in: Sport