Wisden overview
Charles Coventry graduated to the senior one-day squad in March 2002, after opening for Zimbabwe in the U19 World Cup. He was introduced to the game by his father, a first-class umpire who officiated against England at Harare in October 2001, and in January 1999 Coventry junior became the youngest first-class player in Zimbabwean history, at 15 years and 303 days. Admittedly he had only turned up to watch his father in action - he owed his place to an administrative mix-up that left Matabeleland a player short, but he had at least had the foresight to bring his own kit along. He was a budding legbreak bowler at school, but he has since taken up wicketkeeping, under the guidance of Worcestershire's Steve Rhodes.

Andrew Miller

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