Zimbabwe sack Dav Whatmore, Hamilton Masakadza ahead of India series

Zimbabwe Cricket has made massive changes in their coaching team just few days ahead of the arrival of India for a six-match limited-overs tour. Coach Dav Whatmore and captain Hamilton Masakadza both have faced the axe and have been sacked from their respective jobs.

The cricket board cited the team’s poor performance at this year’s World T20 tournament as the reason behind their sudden big decisions.

They have named former South Africa pacer Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Cremer as interim coach and captain of the side ahead of their limited-overs series against India, starting June 11.

“Head coach Davenell Whatmore has had his contract terminated with immediate effect,” a statement from Zimbabwe Cricket read.

“Bowling coach Makhaya Ntini has taken over in an acting capacity until the appointment of a substantive head coach.”

“The board has also relieved Zimbabwe top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza of the captaincy for all three formats of the game. His deputy, Graeme Cremer, will act in the interim.”

Zimbabwe has also signed former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener as a batting coach for two years and appointed former captain Tatenda Taibu as the new convener of the national selection panel.

Zimbabwe plays India in three one-day internationals in Harare starting on June 11, as well as three Twenty20 games.

Zimbabwe cricket has been on a downward slide since the last couple of years. The team dropped out of the top ten in the ODI rankings and are currently ranked 11th while in the T20 table they are at 12th. With India touring with a second-string team, Zimbabwe will be eager to upset their higher-ranked subcontinent opponents and climb back into the top 10.