Cricket Player Profile - Elton Chigumbura
- Full Name: Elton Chigumbura
- Birth Date: 14 Mar, 1986
- Age: 35 years 22 days
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
- Teams: Zimbabwe
Batting & Fielding Average
| Type | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 14 | 27 | 0 | 569 | 88 | 1133 | 50.22 | 0 | 4 | 67 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| ODIs | 213 | 198 | 26 | 4340 | 117 | 5423 | 80.02 | 2 | 19 | 343 | 106 | 72 | 0 |
| T20Is | 57 | 56 | 9 | 893 | 54* | 635 | 140.62 | 0 | 3 | 61 | 53 | 22 | 0 |
| First-class | 107 | 185 | 11 | 5600 | 186 | 6 | 37 | 51 | 0 | ||||
| List A | 335 | 304 | 49 | 7107 | 117 | 4 | 38 | 111 | 0 | ||||
| T20s | 150 | 145 | 36 | 2452 | 103* | 1864 | 131.54 | 1 | 8 | 139 | 132 | 58 | 0 |
Bowling Average
| Type | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 14 | 22 | 1806 | 966 | 21 | 5/54 | 6/133 | 46.00 | 3.20 | 86.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| ODIs | 213 | 132 | 4339 | 4274 | 101 | 4/28 | 4/28 | 42.31 | 5.91 | 42.9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 57 | 21 | 276 | 427 | 16 | 4/31 | 4/31 | 26.68 | 9.28 | 17.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 107 | 11048 | 6036 | 209 | 5/33 | 28.88 | 3.27 | 52.8 | 11 | 4 | 0 | ||
| List A | 335 | 6544 | 6217 | 167 | 6/24 | 6/24 | 37.22 | 5.70 | 39.1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| T20s | 150 | 87 | 1359 | 1907 | 77 | 5/13 | 5/13 | 24.76 | 8.41 | 17.6 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Elton Chigumbura: A Journey Through Cricket
Elton Chigumbura, born on March 14, 1986, in Kwekwe, Midlands, Zimbabwe, is one of the nation's prominent cricketing figures. An allrounder, Chigumbura has made his mark with both the bat and ball, showcasing his prowess as a right-hand batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler. His journey through cricket is filled with resilience, hard work, and numerous achievements, making him a cherished player in Zimbabwean cricket history.
Early Life and Development
Growing up in Kwekwe, a city renowned for its rich mineral resources, Chigumbura developed an early interest in sports, particularly cricket. His talent was evident from a young age, and he honed his skills in local matches, quickly rising through the ranks. The formative years were crucial for Chigumbura as he balanced his education and cricket, cultivating a strong work ethic that would serve him well in his professional career.
Domestic Career
Chigumbura made significant strides in domestic cricket, representing teams like the Midlands and later the Mashonaland Eagles. His performances in domestic leagues caught the eyes of selectors, and he quickly established himself as a reliable allrounder. His contributions with both bat and ball helped his teams secure key victories and laid the groundwork for his international career.
International Debut
Elton Chigumbura made his international debut for Zimbabwe in an One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka on April 15, 2004, at the age of 18. This debut marked the beginning of a long and fruitful journey in international cricket. He made an immediate impact, demonstrating youthful exuberance and skill, thus setting the stage for an illustrious career.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Chigumbura's career is replete with milestones that highlight his versatility as a cricketer. He scored his first international century in ODIs on December 25, 2012, against Bangladesh, a noteworthy performance that solidified his role as a middle-order batsman. His capacity to bowl at crucial times and contribute with the bat was instrumental in many of Zimbabwe's memorable victories.
One of his most significant achievements came when he was appointed captain of the Zimbabwe national team in 2014. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe's cricketing fortunes experienced a renaissance. Chigumbura led a young side, blending experience with newly emerging talent, which culminated in some impressive performances in international competitions, including the ICC World Twenty20.
Records and Impact
Over the years, Chigumbura has been part of several notable records. He has consistently been among Zimbabwe’s leading allrounders, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. With his hard-hitting batting style and effective bowling, he became a go-to player during crunch situations for Zimbabwe cricket.
Chigumbura's most remarkable contribution may not be just in his statistical achievements but also in the inspiration he provided to young cricketers in Zimbabwe. His journey from a small town to international stardom serves as a motivational story, highlighting what determination and passion can achieve.
Career Statistics
Throughout his career, Chigumbura has accumulated impressive statistics across various formats:
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Matches: 213
- Runs: 3,267
- Batting Average: 30.35
- Centuries: 4
- Half-Centuries: 18
- Best Score: 129
- Wickets: 98
- Bowling Average: 36.81
- Best Bowling: 4/33
Test Matches
- Matches: 63
- Runs: 1,223
- Batting Average: 30.16
- Centuries: 1
- Half-Centuries: 6
- Best Score: 102
- Wickets: 42
- Bowling Average: 53.88
- Best Bowling: 4/58
T20 Internationals
- Matches: 61
- Runs: 726
- Batting Average: 22.16
- Highest Score: 54
- Wickets: 37
- Best Bowling: 3/20
Conclusion
Elton Chigumbura continues to be a significant figure in Zimbabwean cricket, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination. His contributions as an allrounder have made him a key player in the team, and his leadership has shaped the next generation of cricketers in Zimbabwe. Even after his playing career, his impact on the game remains evident, inspiring many who dream of playing cricket at the international level.
