After failing to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe Cricket has decided to make big changes to its setup. The board decided to hire good coaches for both the men’s and women’s teams, while former player Prosper Utseya resigned from his position as head coach of the under-19 team. Former top-order batsman Walter Chawaguta will coach the senior women’s team.
Walter Chawaguta He was appointed interim head coach of the men’s team for the tour of Sri Lanka in January 2024. Chawaguta was given an interim contract after Dave Houghton resigned from his role following the ODI World Cup and World T20 debacle. . Cup Qualifiers.
Zimbabwe Cricket decides to completely renew itself after World Cup failures
The Zimbabwe Cricket board met on Sunday 11 February, led by Lloyd Mhishi. The committee issued a statement that was due for investigation after Zimbabwe failed in consecutive World Cup qualifiers. The statement said, “Approved the full report submitted by an inquiry committee that was established to investigate Zimbabwe’s failures in World Cup qualification as well as to review ZC’s cricket affairs structure.”
“The three-member committee, chaired by Lloyd Mhishi, presented its report to the board after gathering inputs from various stakeholders, both internal and external…the board resolved to adopt the report in its entirety and immediately implement the committee’s recommendations “. the statement added.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Board has also accepted some recommendations which include the complete restructuring and transformation of its cricket affairs department and staff. Recommendations further include redesigning national and development pathways, publishing job offers for head coaches of the U19 and senior men’s national teams, and reorganizing the first-class coaching staff.
Zimbabwe Cricket has also decided to establish a national academy and also first-class indoor training facilities in all its provinces.
Zimbabwe as a cricket nation has seen tremendous development in recent years. The team has been able to shine with its performance and has given tough competition to the big teams. However, Zimbabwe recently lost to Namibia and Uganda and missed out on qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the African region. Zimbabwe managed to win four of the six matches and finished third in the standings.
Apart from the T20 World Cup in 2024, following their loss to Scotland in the Super Six round of the competition, the Chevrons were also unable to secure a place in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite winning four of their five matches and Topping Group A, Zimbabwe could not overcome the final hurdle.
The Chevrons defeated Pakistan and other elite teams in the T20 World Cup 2022 with an impressive display of play. Zimbabwe also presented fierce opposition to other teams and at one point prevented Pakistan from advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The Chevrons recently invited India for a five-match T20I series to be held right after the 2024 T20 World Cup.