ZC to conduct national team coach interviews

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket will on Wednesday interview candidates for the vacant position of national team coach.

A source familiar with the hunt for the new coach said Wednesday has been set as a tentative date as some of the coaches are coming from overseas. The source said there was no high profile candidate vying for the position left vacant following the sacking of Sri Lanka born Australian Davenell Whatmore in May.

On when a new coach could be engaged, the source said if there is an agreement between ZC and the preferred candidate then it would be soon after the interviews.

“There is no high profile candidate who has applied, some are from overseas, some from South Africa. If there is an agreement the decision will be made after the interviews,’’ said the source.

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak is one of the five who are gunning for the vacant post. Streak is confident of landing the job despite not knowing who he is competing with for the position.

“I hope to get the job but not knowing who else has applied, I can only hope,’’ said Streak.

It is understood that Makhaya Ntini, initially engaged to look after the bowlers and has been acting head coach since Whatmore was sacked did not apply for the job. This could have been because Ntini is said not to hold any coaching qualifications which was one of the requirements for those aspiring for the post.

ZC are hoping to have a new coach in time for the visit to the country by Sri Lanka at the end of October for two Tests and a triangular series featuring West Indies next month. Last Thursday, ZC confirmed that Sri Lanka are heading to Zimbabwe for two Tests, both at Harare Sports Club, the first starting 29 October and the second due to commence on 6 November.

West Indies then join in for a triangular One Day International contest whose final is set for Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 27 November. Bulawayo cricket fans, who are starved of international cricket, will witness five matches in the triangular series.

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