By Tinashe Zvakasikwa.
Johannesburg, South Africa. (News of the South). Makhaya Ntini, a former South African national cricketer, has been appointed the new Zimbabwe Cricket team coach after the dismissal of Davenell Whatmore from his premature career at the club, which lasted only 8 months rather than the signed 4 years. Ntini has been serving as bowling coach since he joined the Zimbabwe national team in January on a two-year contract.
The changes have been inspired by the dismal performance of the team at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 held in India earlier this year where Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the Super stage after being defeated by minnows Afghanistan.
The 38 year old Ntini has a successful track record as a renowned player career South Africa, where he rose through the ranks of excellence to become the countrys first black African international cricketer.
In 2003, he became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a Test match at the hallowed Lords ground in England.
In 2008, he took home 13 wickets for 132 runs in Test match against the West Indies the best figures ever by a South African in that format of the game.
He now has a chance to revive and nature young Zimbabwean talent and bring back the lost glory in the field.
Hamilton Masakadza has also been striped of his captainship and in his place now stands Graeme Cremer as the stand-in captain.
Mean while, Tatenda Taibu, a former Zimbabwe national team captain has been appointed as the new convener of selectors. Former South African international player Lance Klusener will step in as the new batting coach, with his two-year contract starting on the 5th of June 2016.
The new changes have been made ahead of the India tour, which will feature three one-day internationals and three T20 international matches.
Fixtures.
1st ODI: Zimbabwe v India at Harare Jun 11, 2016 (09:00 local | 07:00 GMT | 09:00 SAST)
2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v India at Harare Jun 13, 2016 (09:00 local | 07:00 GMT | 09:00 SAST)
3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v India at Harare Jun 15, 2016 (09:00 local | 07:00 GMT | 09:00 SAST)
1st T20I: Zimbabwe v India at Harare Jun 18, 2016 (13:00 local | 11:00 GMT | 13:00 SAST)
2nd T20I: Zimbabwe v India at Harare Jun 20, 2016 (13:00 local | 11:00 GMT | 13:00 SAST)
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