From a talented teenager that made an international debut at 18, Elton Chigumbura has journeyed all the way to 200 ODI matches.

The 30-year-old’s 202 ODIs, reached during last month’s series versus India, make him the third Zimbabwean, behind the Flower brothers Andy and Grant, to reach a double century of matches.

Chigumbura is also the 67th player in the world to get 200 caps.

Grant Flower is the most capped Zimbabwean player in ODIs with 221 matches eight more than his sibling Andy.

“It is an honour to have represented my country for more than 200 games,” said Chigumbura.

Chigumbura’s international career spans 12 years since making his ODI debut as an exciting fast bowler against Sri Lanka at Queens Sports Club in 2004.

“It’s a very big achievement for me considering I am the third guy in Zimbabwe to have played more than 200 games.

“I thank the Lord to have played so many games and still going, it has been a long journey with ups and downs along the way.”He continued:

“I am happy with what I have learnt along the way, I never thought I would play 200 matches.

“I was taking it one game at a time, I am amazed that I have played these games at 30 years as a Zimbabwean with less we play.”

Despite recurrent back injuries in his career, Chigumbura has gone on to collect 101 ODI wickets, the fifth Zimbabwean bowler to reach the mark.

The big-hitting all-rounder has seen it all, the rare wins and plenty of defeats and is dying to make the remaining years of his career count.

“In life you always want to do better that’s how I look at my career every time I play a game I want to do better.

“There is a lot of pressure from playing international cricket you need to be able to handle pressure to survive and focus on your game,” he said.

The famous three-wicket win over the Aussies at home in 2014 powered by his unbeaten half- century (52*) was ‘special’.

“I pick all the games I have played because all of them came with different challenges and lessons.

“But beating the best is always special,” he said.

With 200 matches under his belt, how long would Chigumbura want to go?

“As long as I still enjoy the game and if my body allows me to play,” he said.

“Winning games for the team in the next games I am going to be playing is one of my aims”