Couldn't have asked for a better start - Chisoro
Tendai Chisoro, who took 3 for 16 on ODI debut, said after the win against Afghanistan that he could not have asked for a better start to his international career
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Oct-2015
Tendai Chisoro bowled two maidens out of five overs on ODI debut • AFP
Debutant left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro finished with impressive figures of 5-2-16-3 in Zimbabwe's eight-wicket win in the first ODI against Afghanistan. His attention now shifts towards trying to keep up the good work and become a regular member of the team.
"On your first match you'd like to do well and I wouldn't have asked for something better and I'm very happy about it," Chisoro said. "Hopefully I'll keep doing well and be a permanent member of the team."
Chisoro had already been in good rhythm having played the three tour matches as part of the Zimbabwe Chairman's XI against Afghanistan in Bulawayo. In those, he returned with figures of 3 for 43, 2 for 29 and 3 for 48 with a combined economy rate of 5.31 from the three matches. In last season's domestic one-day tournament too, the Pro50 Championship, Chisoro had finished with an average of 25.88 and economy rate of 4.56 from eight matches.
"I've been successful so far and I think last season I finished and did very well with the ball, and I think I have a bright future with my spin," he said.
Chisoro has not always been a spinner, though. He started out as a left-arm seamer and the switch happened not too long ago as a means to address some injury concerns.
"In one of the games we played against Mountaineers Dave Houghton was our coach, he just asked me to bowl left-arm spinners in the net. And I did alright in the nets and he asked me if I could bowl them in the games - if I could bowl spin and then pace on pace-assisting wickets. So that's how it started. I permanently tended to spin because I was struggling with my ankle and back so that's why I've tended to bowl spin for good."
Chisoro's day had not started well, though. He dropped Afghanistan batsman Najibullah Zadran while fielding at mid-off off the bowling of Wellington Masakadza. Wellington said he had forgiven his team-mate for a nervous moment in his first match.
"Obviously he won't feel good about that but playing in his first game we forgive that because it's always hard to come in and do well especially with catches and stuff," Wellington said.