Regis Chakabva acknowledges notching a 50 during last season.
Bamawm Lockington United’s marquee man has done it again and this time was the best yet.
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No stranger to a big score, Lions captain Regis Chakabva showed poise and explosive power against Nondies-Cohuna as he compiled what will almost certainly be Goulburn Murray Cricket’s best innings this season, 235 not out from 153 deliveries.
“It was a good day,” Chakabva said.
“I was seeing them well, but I had to work hard.
“I thought their bowlers bowled really well up front and they had us in a really tight spot early on.
“The ball moved quite a bit and they bowled in good areas.
“It was nice that I managed to stick in throughout the whole innings and everything just came off for me.’’
Bamawm-Lockington was indeed showing few signs of posting 4-368 halfway through the innings, sitting at a far more modest 3-106.
But after eking out a living for 25 overs, Chakabva broke the shackles and started sending them to all corners.
The Lions went at a ridiculous 10.48 runs an over and their captain finished with 36 boundaries, including eight sixes.
“I don't think any of us expected that we would end up getting where we did in the end, so it was nice to come out the way we did at the back end,” Chakabva said.
“I don't think it's something that will happen every game, but it was nice that the plan just came out really nicely.”
Off-season recruit Mark Mbofana proved an able deputy in the back half, adding 76 not out from 62 deliveries.
Regis Chakabva has been a leader with the bat, gloves and as captain since joining BLU in 2023-24.
Luke Thomposn would then add to BLU’s great day, taking 5-10 as the Lions rolled Nondies for 150.
Although the knock may not hold the prestige of his Test or one-day international centuries for Zimbabwe, Chakabva said the innings ranked up there with the best of his career and ticked off a personal milestone.
“It's definitely up there,” he said.
“I was saying to some mates that I think it was the first time I've actually batted throughout a one-day innings.
“It was really special in that sense.
“Having not ever done that before, it doesn't matter what level it is, it was a really proud moment for me.
“It was a hot day and, halfway through the innings, I was thinking 'oh geez, I'm not sure how I'm going to be faring towards the back end’, but fortunately, I felt in good shape and things went well.”
Chakabva has been one of GMC’s best batters since joining BLU for the 2023-24 season, making five hundreds and 21 50s at an average of 51.85 in 63 innings with the Lions.
Having taken his side to the grand final last year, the McMahon Shield itself is next on Chakabva’s mind.
“It's every team's goal to try and make it to the grand final and win the competition,” Chakabva said.
“We're definitely not taking anything for granted having been there last year.
“We know that we have to restart again and work our way back to that stage.”
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