ZIMBABWE senior national cricket team bowling coach, Makhaya Ntini has resigned from his position a month before the expiry of his contract.

In a statement sent out on Sunday, Zimbabwe Cricket said Ntini had left his position with immediate effect. ZC pointed that while they were hesitant to accept the former South Africa bowler’s resignation, they had no choice but to accept it and went on to wish him the best for the future. 

“Zimbabwe Cricket regrets to announce that Makhaya Ntini, the National Team Bowling Coach, has tendered his resignation, with immediate effect. And while reluctantly accepting his resignation, ZC fully appreciates and respects his decision, and wishes him all the best for the future,’’ reads part of the ZC statement.

The charismatic former Proteas bowler was appointed Zimbabwe bowling coach in February 2016 on a two year contract. It was Ntini's first coaching job since his retirement in 2010. When then head coach Davenell Whatmore was sacked in May of that year, Ntini was put in charge of the Chevrons on an interim basis. Ntini presided over the limited overs series against India in Harare as well as the two Tests against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

When former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was hired as head coach in October 2016, Ntini reverted back to looking after the bowlers.

Observers had always wondered how Streak and Ntini would be part of the same technical team seeing that egos were likely to get in the way of their operations.

Indications are that ZC were not going to renew Ntini’s contract when it expired next month. ZC could have in fact relieved Ntini of his duties way back but decided to keep him to avoid costly litigation.

With Zimbabwe leaving on Tuesday for a triangular One Day International series in Bangladesh which will also feature Sri Lanka, Streak is certain to double up as a bowling coach.

It would be interesting what ZC decide to do with the 2019 International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier to be held in Zimbabwe coming up in March. ZC could decide to give batting coach Lance Klusener an improved deal to ensure he spends more time with the team or hire someone else with a better reputation in that aspect of the game, seeing that the Chevrons have been struggling for a while now.

@Mdawini_29