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Tendai Chatara’s injury has left Zimbabwe with next to no experience in their bowling attack- online

ZIMBABWE fast bowler Tendai Chatara is out of the Test series against touring New Zealand due to injury. Chatara fielded and bowled 16 overs for Zimbabwe A for the greater part of Friday, but finished the first day of the three-day practice match against the Black Caps at Harare Sports Club struggling with his run-up and was 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 batting for Zimbabwe A against South Africa A at Queens Sports Club a week ago.

An x-ray on Saturday revealed no fracture and Mawoyo will fly to Bulawayo this 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 yesterday. – ZC