Zimbabwe announce new head coach for women's team

Zimbabwe has confirmed the appointment of Mark Coles as substantive Head Coach of the Zimbabwe women’s cricket team, following a rigorous recruitment process.

The experienced New Zealand coach brings extensive international coaching and high-performance experience to the role, having previously served as Head Coach of both the Pakistan and Scotland women’s national sides. He has also worked with Scotland’s men’s team, held the position of High Performance Manager at Cricket Papua New Guinea, and taken on coaching consultancy roles in Australia.

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Coles is set to take up his duties

Coles is set to take up his duties ahead of the five-match T20I series against South Africa Women, which gets underway at Queens Sports Club on Friday.

His arrival comes at a significant juncture for Zimbabwe women’s cricket, with the side having made their historic debut in the ICC Women’s Championship earlier this year under an interim coaching set-up. Zimbabwe Women opened their campaign with away assignments in New Zealand and Pakistan, and will continue their four-year cycle with tours of India and Bangladesh, alongside home series against South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland. The Championship serves as the qualification pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029.

Coles will be supported by a settled backroom staff: Rangarirai Manyande (Assistant Coach – Batting), Trevor Phiri (Fielding Coach), Faith Dube (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Farai Mabasa (Physiotherapist), Keith Kulinga (Analyst) and Mary-Anne Musonda (Team Manager).

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At pathway level, the Board has retained Travor

At pathway level, the Board has retained Travor Garwe as Head Coach of the Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s National Team, assisted by Nonhlanhla Kamuteku (Assistant Coach – Batting), Malcolm Chikuwa (Bowling Coach) and Susan Kudzibatira (Team Manager).

The Board also confirmed the composition of the Zimbabwe Women’s Selection Panel, with Julia Chibhabha retained as Convener alongside selectors Emily Jinjika and Thandowenkosi Mlilo, and Ishmael Senzere joining as the panel’s fourth member.

ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the Board remained committed to building a sustainable high-performance environment 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. 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 – Technical and Support Staff