Zimbabwe sack coach Whatmore, captain Masakadza ahead of India series

Harare: Zimbabwe on Tuesday sacked coach Dav Whatmore and captain Hamilton Masakadza and named former South Africa pacer Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Cremer as interim coach and captain of the side ahead of their limited-overs series against India, starting June 11. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said the changes were made keeping in mind the team's poor performance in the ICC World Twenty20. Zimbabwe crashed out in the preliminary stage of the ICC World Twenty20. Bowling coach Ntini will take over the charge as interim coach from Australian Whatmore, who was handed a four-year contract in April last year. "Head coach Davenell Whatmore has had his contract terminated with immediate effect. Bowling coach Makhaya Ntini has taken over in an acting capacity until the appointment of a substantive head coach," a statement from ZC said. "The board has also relieved Zimbabwe top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza of the captaincy for all three formats of the game. His deputy, Graeme Cremer, will act in the interim," it added. Zimbabwe have also signed former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener as batting coach for two years. Zimbabwe will play India in three One-Day Internationals and as many Twenty20 Internationals, starting June 11 at the Harare Sports Club here.