Chigumbura reaches 31 not out
CHEVRONS all-rounder Elton Chigumbura toasted his 31st birthday last Tuesday with a pledge to create lasting memories in the remaining years of his international cricket career.
The birthday comes as Chigumbura’s place in the cricket national team is increasingly under threat.
He was dropped from the team a couple of times amid concerns that the former captain was getting too comfortable and no longer pulling his weight at training.
However, another year added to life often means a bit more wisdom and Chigumbura sounded it as he revealed his refocused approach.
“I am working hard again,” he said. “I have realised it’s about working smart, it’s not just about ten hours per day, but what you need to work on and what you need to maintain.
I like to have my private time while training mentally and physically.”
A proven heavy hitter, Chigumbura appears tailor made for T20 and two weeks ago he made some good money after featuring in the Pakistan Super League for the Quetta Gladiators.
And after tasting the sweet rewards of the Pakistan Super League, Chigumbura has his eyes set on landing a lucrative Indian Premier League contract next year.
“It is my goal to play in the IPL, but the truth is I should do better to get recognition to play there.
I believe the ability is there. It’s a matter of playing more games and performing consistently with the right people watching,” he said.
Some analysts have suggested that Chigumbura should exclusively focus on T20 cricket but the former national team captain reckons he still has something to offer in the 50-over format as well.
“I think my natural play suits both formats, I like them both and I am still capable,” he said.
Chigumbura is Zimbabwe’s gunfor-hire for T20 leagues across the world having enjoyed stints in the Bangladesh, Dhaka, Caribbean and Champions leagues.
Last week he was called to be part of the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League final after some foreign players pulled out due to security concerns.
“I wasn’t really shocked by this Pakistan call-up because I have represented them before and they have been talking to me before the finals. It was just a matter of the team qualifying for the final,” said Chigumbura.
Chigumbura, who made his international debut in April 2004, is the second best T20 Zimbabwean batsman after Hamilton Masakadza with 789 runs from 49 matches and a massive strike rate of 145,30. Masakadza has 1413 runs from 50 matches and a strike rate of 119,74. Having just turned 31 how many years of international cricket are left in Chigumbura? “As long as I feel fit and think I can still make a difference by putting the team on another level I will still play. Obviously as a cricketer you want to keep improving and it’s the same with me, I want to do thing better,” he said.