Former New Zealand fast bowler Ewen Chatfield played his last first-class match way back in 1989-90. He didn't put his cricketing gear away though, until Saturday, when he played his final club match, at the age of 68.

Chatfield continued playing for his Wellington club Naenae Old Boys. His career finished at Naenae Park where it started nearly 51 years ago to the day.

Was it a memorable farewell? Not quite. His bowling was smashed all over the park by the Eastern Suburbs batsmen, and when it was his turn to bat, he was out for a “golden duck”.

Numbers be damned, Chatfield had time for some self-deprecating humour.

"I got a golden duck but don't put that in the paper," Chatfield told Stuff.co.nz. “The Naenae Express has run out of steam, I would not mind that as a heading."

The consolation – his side won off the final ball. "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,” Chatfield said.

Chatfield, during his stint with the New Zealand side partnered with legend Richard Hadlee through the 1970s and 1980s. In 43 Tests between 1975 and 1989, Chatfield took 123 wickets, mostly playing second fiddle to Hadlee, who at one time had the most Test wickets (432) until Kapil Dev broke his record. In 114 ODIs he took 140 wickets.

It is a miracle that Chatfield managed to play more than one Test. On debut against England in 1974-75, Chatfield was hit on the head while facing fast bowler Peter Lever. He swallowed his tongue, lost consciousness and was revived by England's physiotherapist.

After retiring from national duty, Chatfield found work as a cab driver in Wellington.