Former New Zealand pacer Ewen Chatfield retires at 68

Ewen Chatfield made his Test debut for New Zealand in 1975 and subsequently played in 43 Tests and 114 ODIs. He has played alongside Sir Richard Hadlee and his last appearance for New Zealand came in 1989. However, at the ripe age of 68, the fast bowler, also known as ‘The Naenae Express’, decided to call it quits from the game on Saturday.

According to a report in stuff.co.nz, Chatfield decided to hang his boots after he was “slogged” all over the park playing for Naenae Old Boys in Wellington.

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“It might seem silly, but I have standards, even at 68, and if I can’t play to those standards, I thought it is time to flag it,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

Chatfield was famous for his exploits as a number 11 batsman. He is most remembered for his last wicket partnership with Geoff Howarth that yielded 44 runs in a Test against England in 1975 – also his debut match. He was hit on the head with a bouncer by Peter Lever that fractured his skull in the same match. The knock was so hard that heart stopped beating. However, a timely CPR from England physiotherapist Bernard Thomas saved his life.

Chatfield wanted to retire with a century, but he could only manage could not improve on his previous best of “fifty something”. In his last match on Saturday, he registered a golden duck. But that’s not how he wanted the headline to read.

“The Naenae Express has run out of steam,” he said. “I would not mind that as a heading.”