ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has finalised the senior men's national team technical staff appointments with former batting coach Stuart Matsikenyeri reassigned to the role of fielding coach.
He is the only survivor from the previous technical team that was led by Dave Houghton.
Houghton left his post last year after a spate of poor results. Matsikenyeri took over the reins on an interim basis.
ZC last month appointed former South Africa high performance batting coach Justin Sammons as head coach, with former Zimbabwe Test team batsman Dion Ebrahim as his assistant.
Sammons also recommended former South Africa player, Charl Langeveldt, who has since joined his backroom staff as the bowling coach.
“ZC has finalised the appointment of new coaching staff for the Zimbabwe senior men’s national team in line with the recommendations made by the [Lloyd] Mhishi committee of inquiry that was established to probe the team’s failure to qualify for the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” ZC said in a statement.
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“Former South Africa international cricketer Charl Langeveldt has been named as bowling coach, with his compatriots Ravish Gobind and Curtly Diesel coming in as strategic performance coach and strength and conditioning coach, respectively.
“All the appointments were made in consultation with Sammons, who also opted to retain Matsikenyeri, although he now assumes the role of fielding coach, while Amato Machikicho [will] continue serving as the team’s physiotherapist.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe date India in a five-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club, with the first match scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm.
Zimbabwe picked a relatively young side as ZC looks to build for the future.
Batting stalwarts Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were not considered by the selectors, while Ryan Burl is said to have failed to make the cut.
Zimbabwe squad for T20i Series versus India:
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.