Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Monday reinstated the national team coaching staff only to terminate their contracts later in the day.
The drama had started after the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup following a defeat at the hands of the UAE in their final qualifier.
The cricketing board had demanded that the entire coaching staff step down after the loss or they would all risk being dismissed through a letter from ZC managing director Faisal Hasnain.
However, head-coach Heath Streak and his fellow coaches had initially defied the orders, claiming unfair treatment at the hands of the board.
Zimbabwe publication NewsDay has reported that Streak and batting coach Lance Klusner were served with the letters of their contract termination through their lawyers on Monday.
Streak and his staff had defied the ultimatum to resign.
According to the report, the coaches’ representatives were initially informed that the ultimatum to dismiss their clients had been withdrawn by the board.
“After extensive consultations with our client on the position of the law, our client has resolved to unreservedly retract all and any communication leading to the ultimatum to resign and the subsequent dismissals against your clients.
“For the avoidance of doubt Zimbabwe Cricket has withdrawn the decision to summarily dismiss your clients,” part of the letter sent by ZC’s legal representatives to the coaches’ lawyers read.
But, on Monday afternoon, the coaches’ representatives were sent another letter, this time for the termination of their clients’ contracts with ZC.
“The process of recruiting new coaches has begun and I can safely say that we will have new coaches for the national team by end of April.” ZC board chairman Tavenga Mukuhlani said.