Former South African national cricketer Makhaya Ntini has been appointed as the new team coach on an interim basis after Zimbabwe Cricket terminated Davenell Whatmore’s four-year contract signed in April last year with immediate effect on Tuesday.
Ntini has been serving as bowling coach since he joined Zimbabwe in January on a two-year contract.
Also relieved of his duties, as captain, was top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza, with his deputy, Graeme Cremer, being been roped in as the stand-in captain.
Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu has been appointed new convenor of selectors as part of sweeping changes to Zimbabwe cricket.
Also, “to strengthen the senior men’s technical set-up”, former South African international Lance Klusener will be the new batting coach, with his two-year contract effective June 5 2016.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Cricket said they had made the changes following the senior men’s poor performance at the ICC World Twenty20 held in India earlier this year.
Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the Super stage after being defeated by minnows Afghanistan by 59 runs in the last qualification match.
Zimbabwe Cricket said it had restructured the national selection panel to comprise the convener, the senior men’s national team head coach and his assistant.
A few days ago, some of those in the selection panel were relieved of their duties and these include Kenyon Ziehl, David Mutendera and Walter Chawaguta.
The new changes have been made ahead of the India tour which will feature three one-day internationals and three T20 international matches. – African News Agency (ANA)