The Zimbabwe cricket team is undergoing a significant coaching shake-up ahead of their upcoming T20I series against India, with former South African fast bowler Charl Langeveldt joining the staff as bowling coach.
Fresh faces in Zimbabwe Cricket Team
Charl Langeveldt brings a wealth of experience to the Zimbabwe bowling attack. He previously served as bowling coach for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and even his home nation, South Africa.
He joins a revamped coaching staff that includes recently appointed head coach Justin Sammons and assistant coach Dion Ebrahim.
Stuart Matsikenyeri stays on as fielding coach
Stuart Matsikenyeri, a former Zimbabwe batsman who previously held the interim head coach position, will remain part of the coaching setup as the team’s fielding coach.
South Africa backroom boost
The coaching overhaul extends beyond Langeveldt. South Africans Ravish Gobind and Curtly Diesel have also been brought on board as strategic performance coach and strength and conditioning coach respectively.
Committee-Approved Changes
These appointments were approved by the Mhishi Committee of Inquiry, formed after Zimbabwe’s disappointing failure to qualify for the recent T20 World Cup. The team, considered strong contenders, were surprisingly edged out by Namibia and Uganda in the Africa Region Qualifiers.
Change of voice needed
The T20 World Cup qualification failure led to the resignation of head coach Dave Houghton, who cited a need for a “fresh voice” to motivate the players. Following his departure, Walter Chawaguta and then Matsikenyeri served as interim head coaches before the appointment of Sammons.
Charl Langeveldt expertise for India vs Zimbabwe
With a revamped coaching staff and a bowling guru like Langeveldt at the helm, Zimbabwe will be hoping to sharpen their bowling attack and put on a strong showing against India in the upcoming T20I series.