Walter Chawaguta was chosen by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Thursday as the interim head coach of the senior men’s national team for their January white-ball tour to Sri Lanka.
Chawaguta, who took over as Zimbabwe’s head coach in 2008, is set to serve a second term. He now serves as both the batting consultant for the Zimbabwe women’s team and the coach of the regional first-class team Tuskers.
“He will lead a technical team that includes Stuart Matsikenyeri (Assistant Coach/Batting Coach), Steve Kirby (Bowling Coach), Erick Chauluka (Fielding Coach), Walter Karimanzira (Fitness and Conditioning Trainer), Amato Machikicho (Physiotherapist), Alistair Chambe (Team Doctor) and Mufaro Chiturumani (Analyst),” an official statement from ZC read.
“Darlington Majonga will double up as Team Manager and Media Manager, while Lovemore Banda will be the Logistics Manager. Currently, he is in charge at provincial first-class side Tuskers, while he has also been involved over the years as a batting consultant for the Zimbabwe Senior Women’s National team,” it further read.
The appointment of Chawaguta comes after the departure of former coach Dave Houghton on December 20 due to Zimbabwe’s inability to advance through the Africa Qualifier to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
According to ICC, Houghton resigned as head coach of the senior Zimbabwe men’s team, and the board accepted it right away. In his letter of resignation, Houghton expressed his belief that the side required a “new voice” to advance.
Zimbabwe finished third in the league with four wins, two defeats, and was not awarded a ticket to the Africa Qualifier. Zimbabwe rebounded by winning the remaining games after suffering two losses in their opening three games—one against Namibia and the other, an unexpected setback to Uganda.
But Namibia and Uganda managed to hold their own, placing first and second respectively, to secure their seats in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
On January 6, Zimbabwe will commence their trip of Sri Lanka with a three-match ODI series and then three Twenty20 Internationals. The R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo will host all the matches.