New Zealand bowler Ewen Chatfield calls it a day at 68

Wellington: Former New Zealand right-arm fast-medium bowler Ewen Chatfield has announced his retirement from the club cricket at the age of 68.

The veteran cricketer, also known as ‘Naenae Express,’ played his last game of cricket for his beloved Wellington club Naenae Old Boys on Saturday.

Co-incidentally, his career finished at the same place, where it started in February, 1968- the Naenae Park.

Chatfield, who was always under the shadow of Sir Richard Hadlee, took the decision after getting thrashed all over the park, while playing for his club in Wellington.

“It might seem silly, but I have standards, even at 68, and if I can’t play to those standards, I think it’s time to flag it,” Stuff.co.nz, a New Zealand-based news website, quoted him as saying.

As modest as ever, Chatfield only told his club mates he was retiring, after the game.

In 1975, the cricketer made one of the most dramatic Test debuts in international circuit.

He played for the White Ferns at number 11, he was struck on the head by a Peter Lever bouncer in his first international appearance against England, after combining with Geoff Howarth in a final wicket partnership of 44.

The bouncer fractured his skull and his heart stopped beating. English team physiotherapist Bernard Thomas came to his rescue. The physiotherapist treated him and saved his life.

He played his last international match in 1989 against Pakistan at Eden Park, Auckland. The match ended in a draw.

The sexagenarian played 42 Tests and took 123 wickets, while in ODIs, he appeared for the Kiwis in 114 times and bagged 140 wickets. (UNI)