Coles named Zimbabwe women’s coach

The experienced coach will begin his tenure ahead of Zimbabwe’s five-match T20I series against South Africa, which starts at Queens Sports Club on Friday. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe women’s cricket following the team’s historic entry into the ICC Women’s Championship earlier this year under an interim coaching set-up.

Zimbabwe opened their Women’s Championship campaign with away assignments against New Zealand and Pakistan. The team will continue its four-year campaign with tours of India and Bangladesh, while also hosting South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland.

The ICC Women’s Championship serves as the qualification pathway for the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Coles will work with an established backroom team comprising Rangarirai Manyande as assistant coach for batting, Trevor Phiri as fielding coach, Faith Dube as strength and conditioning coach, Farai Mabasa as physiotherapist, Keith Kulinga as analyst and Mary-Anne Musonda as team manager.

Zimbabwe Cricket has also retained Travor Garwe as head coach of the Under-19 women’s national team. He will be assisted by Nonhlanhla Kamuteku, who will oversee batting, bowling coach Malcolm Chikuwa and team manager Susan Kudzibatira.

The board also confirmed the Zimbabwe women’s selection panel, with Julia Chibhabha continuing as convener. Emily Jinjika and Thandowenkosi Mlilo remain selectors, while Ishmael Senzere joins as the fourth member of the panel. Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the appointments would help create a sustainable high-performance structure for the women’s game.

“Women’s cricket is entering an exciting new chapter in Zimbabwe following our admission into the ICC Women’s Championship and it is vital that we have the right people in place to guide that journey,” Mukuhlani said.

“Mark Coles brings extensive international coaching and high-performance experience, as well as a strong understanding of the demands of the women’s game.”Mukuhlani added that the board believed the new coaching and support structure could help Zimbabwe build a competitive side and establish a pathway for sustained success.

“Together with the technical and support staff appointed across our senior and Under-19 structures, we believe he will help us build a competitive team and establish a clear pathway for sustained success,” he said. “We are confident that this group will help Zimbabwe women’s cricket continue to grow and compete strongly on the international stage.”