Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that men's national team head coach Justin Sammons will depart from his position once the current UAE tour concludes. The announcement came on Saturday, November 14, with Sammons expressing his intention to return to South Africa to be closer to his family.
Reflecting on his tenure, Sammons described his time leading Zimbabwe as a memorable chapter in his career. He expressed gratitude to the Zimbabwe Cricket Board for the opportunity and acknowledged the dedication of everyone involved in the sport — from administrators to ground staff — for their contributions to the team's development. He also praised the players and technical staff for their unwavering commitment to improvement, noting that his experience in Zimbabwe would remain deeply valued.
Sammons assumed the head coach role in June 2024 and guided the team to several notable achievements. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe qualified for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup for the first time in the nation's history earlier this year. The team also secured significant Test match victories during his tenure. The ongoing second Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will mark his final assignment with the squad.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni commented on the resignation, stating that while the decision was difficult to accept, the organisation fully respects Sammons' choice to prioritise his family. Makoni acknowledged the coach's hard work in developing the players and noted that the team's improvement was clearly visible through memorable Test wins and a competitive showing at the T20 World Cup.