Andrew
Brighton Zhawi Sports Reporter
THE sight of a burly Tino Mawoyo sprinting in front of the rest of the team in jubilation after a historic Chevrons win still lingers on in Elton Chigumbura’s mind.
Chigumbura had starred with a captain’s innings, driving Zimbabwe to a stunning win over Australia in a One Day International match during a Tri-nation series that also featured South Africa in 2014.
To understand and appreciate such a reaction to this win, one has to look at the record books that will show Zimbabwe’s first ever triumph over Australia had been back in 1983 in a World Cup match, which was the country’s first ever ODI match.
To understand why Mawoyo ran towards the two heroes — Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya — like that, it needed one to revisit the scorecard that showed Zimbabwe were teetering on 156 for 7 in pursuit of 209, Australia’s lowest ODI total against Zimbabwe when batting first.
Today marks exactly six years since that Sunday, when global cricket giants Australia fell at a packed Harare Sports Club.
“Definitely one of the best matches I have played . . . it’s in the top five matches,” Chigumbura told The Sunday Mail Sport.
Having played his part in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 52 off 68, Chigumbura had the perfect view as Utseya (30 off 28) did the coup de grace with a huge six off Mitchell Starc to ignite wild cheers from the home crowd.
“Prosper Utseya scoring the winning runs which went for maximum and watching the rest of the lads running towards us in the ground with so much joy, Tino Mawoyo in front, was awesome,” said Chigumbura as he reminisced about that fine afternoon.
Although he was man-of-the- match, Chigumbura acknowledges Utseya’s bustling contribution eased pressure on him.
“It really helped a lot. I stayed positive, played my natural game and he was positive up to the end.
“(In the end) it was a proud moment to see everyone happy, smiling (and) dancing. The celebration was sweet”.
This was Chigumbura’s second involvement in a rare victory over the Aussies with the first one being a five wicket win in a World T20 group match in South Africa in 2007.
In that T20 victory, Chigumbura starred with three wickets and was there in the end when Brendan Taylor hit the winning runs to clinch a famous victory.
“Both (wins) were special . . . beating Australia in a World Cup match and also beating them at home.”
The all-rounder relishes pressure moments, saying it comes naturally to most finishers.
“It’s about believing in myself and staying positive (knowing that) it’s not over until it’s over.
“The pressure will be high, the adrenaline pumping so when you cross the line the celebration becomes sweeter,” he said.
In his last outing for Zimbabwe, Chigumbura reminded many that he is not yet finished when he forced a Super Over with Zimbabwe needing 23 runs off 12 bowls in a T20 match against The Netherlands in June last year.
“That was my comeback match after running with drinks which I hate. I felt good in the middle and it was a good performance, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
The Chevrons went on to win comfortably in the Super Over.
However, that was Chigumbura’s last match to date, after he suffered an injury on the same tour.
“I pulled my Achilles tendon, I had to get an operation done which went well and I have recovered fully. I am back playing,” he said.
The lockdown brought about by Covid-19 has been a blessing in disguise for Chigumbura, who has used the period to fully recover from his injury as well as spending quality time with his family.
“I got to spend lots of time with the family and I understand them even better than I thought I did before,” he said.
But there is no doubting that Chigumbura, or any member of the Chevrons, would savour a rare victory over the Aussies in any form of the game and on any day.
Online Reporter