Zimbabwe cricket bowlers Tendai Chatara and Tinashe Panyangara risk losing their places in the Chevrons squad following a top notch performance by debutant Carl Mumba against Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club today.
Addressing journalists at the end of Day four of the First Test match, Bowling Coach Makhaya Ntini said Mumba’s performance had cemented his place in the senior team.
“Carl has done an incredible job in this series. He has performed beyond expectation and for that, he deserves another dance with the national squad.
“His performance has given us a headache as we have the likes of Chatara and Choky (Panyangara) waiting for their chance. But Carl has an added advantage because of his age which will be crucial as we try to build a squad for the 2019 World Cup. This therefore, means the two have a lot to prove and they must work extra hard to earn their places back in the team or they risk going down the packing order,” Ntini warned.
The former South African fast bowler said as part of building the 2019 World Cup Team, the selectors might have to give Mumba more chances as Panyangara is fighting a losing battle with age.
Both Chatara and Panyangara could not face Sri Lanka due to lack of fitness after a lengthy layoff due injury.
By the close of day four, which ended prematurely due to rain, the debutant Mumba had picked up four wickets for 50 runs and his bowling line has been exceptional. Ntini hopes Mumba’s journey to stardom could start now and he could he be the missing link to Zimbabwe’s bowling attack which has performed below par over the years.
