SL vs ZIM: Walter Chawaguta Appointed As Interim Zimbabwe Head Coach After Dave Houghton's Exit

Ahead of the white ball tour of Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) has named Walter Chawaguta as the team’s interim head coach. ZCB made the decision after Dave Houghton resigned from his position as Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

This will be the second time that Walter Chawaguta will be coaching the Zimbabwe Cricket Team after 2008. Zawaguta is currently the head coach of the country’s provincial first-class team Tuskers and has also been serving as a batting consultant for the Zimbabwe women’s cricket team.

Walter Chawaguta appointed as Zimbabwe’s interim head coach

Walter Chawaguta will also have support staff including, Stuart Matsikenyeri as Assistant and batting coach, Steve Kirby as the bowling coach, Erick Chauluka as the fielding coach, Walter Karimanzira as the fitness and conditioning trainer, Amato Machikicho as a Physiotherapist, Alistair Chambe as the team Doctor and Mufaro Chiturumani as an analyst.

Dave Houghton was appointed as the coach of the Zimbabwe cricket team in the year 2022 and had an 18-month stint with the team.

In his resignation, Houghton wrote, “I have always had Zimbabwe cricket at heart and, though my coaching of the national team comes to an end, I would love to be involved in other areas,” Houghton said in a ZC statement. “The talent base in Zimbabwe is enormous. How we move players from talented to performing well on the international stage is a great project to be involved in.”

Dave Houghton is expected to be assigned a new role in the Zimbabwe Cricket Board and will be involved in the development of the cricketers of the country.

Zimbabwe have developed as a team in the last few years and have given brilliant competition to other strong teams as well. With the upcoming tour against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe cricket will aim to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe’s poor performance at ICC qualifiers

Zimbabwe after displaying a decent performance at the 2022 T20 World Cup have not been in the best of forms from the last few months. Recently, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup from the Africa region and lost to Namibia and Uganda. Zimbabwe finished third in the table and were able to win four matches from the six games.

Apart from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe were also not able to book a place in the 2023 ODI World Cup after losing to Scotland in the Super Six stage of the tournament. However, Zimbabwe topped Group A and won four out of four matches, but were not able to pass the last hurdle.

Zimbabwe displayed an inspiring performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup and defeated top teams such as Pakistan. Zimbabwe also gave tough competition to other teams and at one point caused difficulties for Pakistan to make it to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka will start on January 6 and they will be aiming to defeat the Lankan Lions as they have also not been in good form of late.