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Makhaya Ntini

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE senior national cricket team bowling coach Makhaya Ntini has stepped down from his position a month ahead of the expiry of his two-year contract.

In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said Ntini had resigned with immediate effect.

ZC claimed while it was hesitant to accept the former South African fast bowler’s resignation, it had no choice and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“Zimbabwe Cricket regrets to announce that Makhaya Ntini, the national team bowling coach, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect. And while reluctantly accepting his resignation, ZC fully appreciates and respects his decision and wishes him all the best for the future,” reads a ZC statement.

The jovial former Proteas’ paceman was appointed Zimbabwe bowling coach in February 2016 on a two-year contract and it was Ntini’s first coaching job since his retirement from the game in 2010.

When former Chevrons’ head coach Davenell Whatmore was shown the door in May 2016, Ntini was put in charge of the senior side on an interim basis.

He presided over the limited overs series against India in Harare as well as two Tests against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

When former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was appointed head coach in October 2016, Ntini reverted to his bowling coaching role.

Observers had always wondered how Streak and Ntini would be part of the same technical set-up, as egos were likely to get in the way since Streak was also a batting specialist.

Indications were that ZC was not going to renew Ntini’s contract when it expired next month.

ZC could, in fact, have relieved Ntini of his duties way back, but decided to keep him to avoid costly litigation.

With Zimbabwe leaving on Tuesday for a triangular one-day international series in Bangladesh which will also feature Sri Lanka, Streak is certain to double up as bowling coach.

It would be interesting what ZC decide to do with the 2019 International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier to be held in Zimbabwe in March.

ZC could decide to give batting coach Lance Klusener an improved deal to ensure he spends more time with the team or hire someone else with a better reputation in that aspect of the game, seeing that the Chevrons have been struggling for a while now.­­

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