Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that head coach Justin Sammons will step down from his role after the ongoing tour of the United Arab Emirates, bringing an end to a tenure that delivered the country’s best-ever finish at a men’s T20 World Cup.
Sammons tendered his resignation on Saturday, with Zimbabwe Cricket announcing the decision during the second day of the second Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah. The South African wants to return home to spend more time with his family, and the ongoing Test — scheduled to end on Tuesday, November 17 — will be his final assignment in charge of the Chevrons.
“Leading the Zimbabwe men’s national team has been an incredible experience, one that I will always look back on with great memories,” Sammons said in the board’s announcement. “I must thank the Zimbabwe Cricket Board for allowing me the opportunity to work with this team, as well as everyone within Zimbabwe cricket. It is important for me to now move back home to allow for time with the family. I know the team will continue to improve moving forward and I wish them all success.”
Sammons took charge of Zimbabwe in June 2024. Under his leadership, the team reached the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year — the first time Zimbabwe had gone that far at the tournament, and still their best-ever finish. Zimbabwe also recorded memorable Test victories during his time in charge, and the board credited him with visible progress across formats.
Makoni’s statement made clear the board would have preferred Sammons to stay. Zimbabwe Cricket said it was reluctant to accept the resignation, a measure of how highly his two-year stint is regarded inside the organisation, and thanked him for his contribution. Sammons in turn thanked the board, the support staff and the players for their dedication during his time at the helm.
“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,” Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said. “Justin has worked hard to help our players improve and the team’s progress under his leadership was evident in some memorable Test wins and in the way Zimbabwe competed at the T20 World Cup.”
Zimbabwe Cricket has not named a successor, and has not said when a new head coach will be appointed. Sammons’ final days in the job come with his side in a strong position in Sharjah, where Brendan Taylor’s 119 carried Zimbabwe to 339 before their bowlers left Afghanistan reeling at 159 for 6 at stumps on Day 2.
