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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER weeks of speculation, Zimbabwe Cricket have made official the appointment of former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini as the national team bowling coach.
The 38-year old Ntini has been engaged by ZC on a two -year contract with effect from 16 February.
Ntini replaces Douglas Hondo who has been re-assigned to the Zimbabwe A team.
Ntini, whose international career spanned from 1998 to 2010 turned out for the Proteas in 101 Tests, 173 One Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 Internationals. “Mdingi Express” as Ntini was affectionately known during his successful playing career has been a cricket pundit for the South African Broadcasting Corporation since his retirement.
ZC have also announced the appointment of former Sri Lanka coach Marvan Atapattu as the national team batting consultant for the current tour of Bangladesh where Zimbabwe will take on the Tigers in four Twenty20 Internationals from Friday.
Atapattu, who stepped down as Sri Lanka national team coach in September last year takes over the position left vacant following the sacking of Zimbabwe Andrew Waller in October last year.
Atapattu’s contract, according to ZC will be looked at with the view to engage him on a long term basis at the conclusion of the visit to Bangladesh.
The latest appointments by ZC are seen as a way of trying to stem the dismal show by the Elton Chigumbura captained side who recently went down 3-2 in an ODI series against Afghanistan and were also beaten 2-0 by the minnows in a two-match T20I contest with all the matches staged in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The efforts can also be viewed as attempts by the cricket mother body to strengthen technical support available to Sri Lanka born coach Davenell Whatmore who is under pressure to start producing results.
More to follow.
Online Reporter