Justin Sammons to leave Zimbabwe coaching job after Afghanistan Test

Justin Sammons will step down as Zimbabwe head coach after the ongoing second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah, Zimbabwe Cricket announced on Saturday, 14 November. Cricbuzz reports that the match will be his final assignment in charge.

Family reasons behind the decision

Sammons has tendered his resignation because he wants to return home to South Africa to spend more time with his family, according to Sportstar. He took charge of Zimbabwe in June 2024.

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said the board had found the decision hard to accept.

“It was very difficult for us to accept Justin’s resignation, but we understand and respect his decision to return home to be with his family,”

Makoni added that the team’s progress under Sammons was evident in some memorable Test wins and in the way Zimbabwe competed at the T20 World Cup.

A landmark T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe reached the Super Eight stage of this year’s T20 World Cup during Sammons’ tenure. Sportstar describes it as the team’s best-ever finish at the tournament, while Cricbuzz says it was the first time they had reached that stage.

Both outlets also mention memorable Test wins in his time in charge, though neither lists them.

Sammons thanks the squad

In a statement, Sammons said leading the national men’s team had been an incredible experience that he would always look back on with great memories. He said it was important for him to move home to allow more time with his family.

He thanked the Zimbabwe Cricket Board for the opportunity, as well as administrators, ground staff, players and technical staff, and said he was grateful for their commitment to improving.

No successor or interim coach has been named in the reports seen so far.