BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – New Zimbabwe cricket coach Justin Sammons is free to choose the rest of his backroom staff, a process that has delayed the African team’s squad announcement for July’s tour by world giants India.
South African Sammons, former batting coach of the Proteas, was last week named Zimbabwe’s new head coach, a long-awaited announcement just weeks before the Chevrons’ five T20Is against India at home in Harare.
Dion Ebrahim, a former Zimbabwe batsman, was made Sammons’ assistant coach.
However, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) did not immediately release the new full technical staff list, with news reaching SportsCast now that the new Chevrons gaffer requested to pick his own preferred specialist trainers.
Sammons has apparently been negotiating with ZC over the appointment of bowling and fielding coaches for Zimbabwe, a decision he has been granted by the board. The South African has already made known those he prefer to fill the positions.
The bone of contention however has been over remuneration, with ZC believing it has already gone out of its way to employ Sammons and Ebrahim.
Another issue arising is that since Sammons and Ebrahim both have batting backgrounds, ZC initially meant to additionally engage just a bowling coach to complete the new technical set-up. This because Ebrahim acquired reputation as an exceptional fielder for Zimbabwe in his career spanning 29 Tests and 82 ODIs, so can also take charge of the fielding side of things in his new coaching role.
The delay in assembling a full complement of coaches has thereby put on hold the selection of Zimbabwe’s squad for the matches on 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 July at Harare Sports Club.
India have already announced nearly a third-string side for the Zimbabwe tour, captained by Shubman Gill.
