Former Zimbabwean cricketer Guy Whittall narrowly escaped a deadly leopard attack while trekking in a conservancy he owns in the Humani region. The 51-year-old all-rounder sustained injuries in the encounter and underwent emergency surgery at Milton Park Hospital, Harare.
Whittall, known for representing Zimbabwe in 46 Tests and 147 ODIs between 1993 and 2003, was accompanied by his loyal dog named Chikara during the trek. Reports suggest that both Whittall and his dog sustained injuries during the incident.
This isn’t the first time Whittall has faced danger in his own surroundings. Just over a decade ago, he woke up to find an eight-foot, 165kg Nile crocodile lurking under his bed.
Hannah Stooks-Whittall, Whittall’s wife, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, sharing pictures of her husband covered in blood after the attack. She expressed gratitude for the swift medical response that stabilized Whittall before he was airlifted to Milton Park Hospital for treatment.
Whittall’s wife also praised Chikara for his bravery in attempting to save her husband, despite being injured in the process.
Whittall is fondly remembered for his contributions to Zimbabwean cricket, notably his century in 1995 that helped secure Zimbabwe’s first-ever victory against Pakistan in Harare. However, his remarkable innings was overshadowed by the outstanding performances of Grant Flower, who scored an unbeaten 201 runs, and Andy Flower, who scored 156 runs, leading Zimbabwe to victory by an innings and 64 runs.
The cricketing community and well-wishers have flooded Whittall with messages of support following the harrowing incident.
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