Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed Essex all rounder and former Zimbabwe cricket “rebel” player Grant Flower batting coach effective this October.
Flower left the Zimbabwe side in 2004 with a group of players termed the "rebels" following disagreements with Zimbabwe Cricket management over how the sport was being administered in the country. He has been with Essex for five years.
Flower will work with new head coach Alan Butcher, bowling Coach Heath Streak - another former "rebel" and local franchise coach Steven Mangongo.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Ozias Bvute told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye the coaching lineup is consistent with a redevelopment program aimed at returning Zimbabwe to Test play.
Zimbabwe withdrew from Test matches in 2006 after performing poorly. It has embarked on an aggressive program to strengthen its technical support staff ahead of a hoped-for return in the next three years.
The program is in line with recommendations from the International Cricket Council to develop local domestic structures as well as strengthen technical support structures within the organization.