We are basically saying Mr Houghton, who was universally respected, and had an enormously long experienced CV at the top level and knew every facet of Zimbabwean cricket inside out, was not good enough. So here’s some random guy from some province in South Africa who nobody has heard of - surely he will do better!!!!
I think after the T20 WC failure, his role became untenable. It's unfortunate, but you can't fail twice like he did and expect to get away with it.
I don’t disagree actually. I think it would have been almost impossible for Dave to have turned things around unfortunately, it probably was the right decision at the time.
But only on the proviso that they found a high calibre replacement!!!
To be honest , signing a nobody like this screams ‘Yes Man’ to me. He comes with no reputation or respect so he will naturally command far less power and influence than Dave had. This Salmon guy will have to do exactly what he is told.
It’s a huge huge opportunity for a low profile guy like him - he has probably agreed to all sorts of conditions and is probably getting paid peanuts.
Houghton had to go, particularly after the T20 Qualification debacle. Sammons isn't exactly what we were hoping for, but perhaps he'll be decent? We are in a terminal decline anyway so I'm not sure expectations should be all that high.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
Never heard of this Sammons. How did this guy meet the selection criteria? Massive win for him. I wonder if G Flower or Domingo were even approached for the role?
Ebrahim is another Matsikenyeri. The two big disappointments from that pre/post rebels era.
Dig deeper and there are articles which have our new coach as the guy who was trying to help Utseya remodel his action surely can’t be the same guy because there he is listed as a spin specialist. Also how did the social media specialist go from Domingo to “announcing” this guy? He is going to get his mole in serious trouble.
Dion Ebrahim has actually been doing well as a coach so that’s not a bad choice. I will reserve judgement for a few months. These players need a different approach so who knows? It might work if the head coach really has experience in nurturing talent.
Last edited by TapsC2 on Thu Jun 20, 2024 5:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
I don’t disagree actually. I think it would have been almost impossible for Dave to have turned things around unfortunately, it probably was the right decision at the time.
But only on the proviso that they found a high calibre replacement!!!
To be honest , signing a nobody like this screams ‘Yes Man’ to me. He comes with no reputation or respect so he will naturally command far less power and influence than Dave had. This Salmon guy will have to do exactly what he is told.
It’s a huge huge opportunity for a low profile guy like him - he has probably agreed to all sorts of conditions and is probably getting paid peanuts.
Realistically though, it would be hard to find a coach willing to take the Zimbabwe job. I dont think any of Zim's recent head coaches went on to get another big gig. Its almost like coaching ZIM is like a death knell for your career. You take the job and you will be judged by performance - rightly or wrongly - and your coaching marketability nosedives.
Dig deeper and there are articles which have our new coach as the guy who was trying to help Utseya remodel his action surely can’t be the same guy because there he is listed as a spin specialist. Also how did the social media specialist go from Domingo to “announcing” this guy? He is going to get his mole in serious trouble.
Dion Ebrahim has actually been doing well as a coach so that’s not a bad choice. I will reserve judgement for a few months. These players need a different approach so who knows? It might work if the head coach really has experience in nurturing talent.
Dion doing well as a Coach? First-class results have been consistently poor for Orasi during his tenure. They only made the the elimination final of the Ford this season. Otago had struggles which pre-date Ebrahim’s arrival and during his reign nothing changed. Food for though.
Those that do not know Justin Sammons below info can help you with his profile
Sammons joined the Proteas’ coaching staff in 2021 for a tour of Sri Lanka. Remained with the team for the T20 World Cup in the same year, through 2022 and into 2023.
Sammons worked under former Proteas head coach Mark Boucher and interim Proteas head coach Malibongwe Maketa.
Sammons predominantly coached the following Test batsmen:
Dean Elgar
Sarel Erwee
Theunis de Bruyn
Rassie van der Dussen
Temba Bavuma
Khaya Zondo
Kyle Verreynne
Heinrich Klaasen