Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has appointed experienced New Zealand coach Mark Coles as the substantive Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Senior Women’s National Team following a rigorous recruitment process.
He brings extensive international coaching and high-performance experience, having previously served as head coach of both the Pakistan and Scotland women’s national teams.
Coles also supported Scotland’s men’s side, while his career has included a spell as high performance manager at Cricket Papua New Guinea and coaching consultancy roles in Australia.
He is expected to assume his duties ahead
He is expected to assume his duties ahead of the five-match T20 International series against South Africa Women at Queens Sports Club starting on Friday.
Coles arrives at a landmark stage in the development of Zimbabwe women’s cricket, with the national side having made their historic debut in the ICC Women’s Championship earlier this year under an interim coaching structure.
Zimbabwe Women launched their championship campaign with away tours of New Zealand and Pakistan and will continue their four-year programme with tours of India and Bangladesh, while hosting South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
The ICC Women’s Championship serves as the qualification
The ICC Women’s Championship serves as the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029.
Coles will be supported by Rangarirai Manyande as Assistant Coach (Batting), Fielding Coach Trevor Phiri, Strength and Conditioning Coach Faith Dube, Physiotherapist Farai Mabasa, Analyst Keith Kulinga and Team Manager Mary-Anne Musonda.
At pathway level, the Board retained Travor Garwe as Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s National Team.
Garwe is assisted by Nonhlanhla Kamuteku as Assistant
Garwe is assisted by Nonhlanhla Kamuteku as Assistant Coach (Batting), Malcolm Chikuwa as Bowling Coach and Susan Kudzibatira as Team Manager.
The Board also confirmed the Zimbabwe Women’s Selection Panel, retaining Julia Chibhabha as Convener alongside Emily Jinjika and Thandowenkosi Mlilo, with Ishmael Senzere joining as the fourth member.
Commenting on the appointments, ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the Board remained firmly committed to building a sustainable high-performance environment for women’s cricket.
Women’s cricket is entering an exciting new chapter
“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,” he 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.
“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.
“We are confident that this group will help Zimbabwe women’s cricket continue to grow and compete strongly on the international stage.”
Zimbabwe Senior Women’s National Team
- Mark Coles – Head Coach
- Rangarirai Manyande – Assistant Coach (Batting)
- Trevor Phiri – Fielding Coach
- Faith Dube – Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Farai Mabasa – Physiotherapist
- Keith Kulinga – Analyst
- Mary-Anne Musonda – Team Manager
Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s National Team
- Travor Garwe – Head Coach
- Nonhlanhla Kamuteku – Assistant Coach (Batting)
- Malcolm Chikuwa – Bowling Coach
- Susan Kudzibatira – Team Manager
- Julia Chibhabha – Convener
- Emily Jinjika – Selector
- Thandowenkosi Mlilo – Selector
- Ishmael Senzere – Selector
Source: 3-mob.com
