Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has appointed Mark Coles as the new head coach for the Zimbabwe Senior Women’s National Cricket Team, the organization confirmed in a statement. The announcement places the New Zealand-born coach at the helm as the team, known as the Lady Chevrons, prepares for upcoming international fixtures.
Coles fills the position left vacant by former coach Gary Brent, who resigned from the role in March. Brent’s departure followed the team’s inability to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In the official announcement, Zimbabwe Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Hamilton Masakadza, commented on the appointment. “We are delighted to confirm Mark as our new Head Coach for the Women’s Team,” Masakadza stated. “He is a passionate and experienced coach whose proven record of success at the highest level will be a massive boost for our game.”
Coles brings a significant background in coaching international women’s cricket to the role. He previously served two separate tenures as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s national team, first from 2017 to 2019 and again for a brief period in 2023. His coaching career also includes leading the Scotland women’s national team and roles in New Zealand’s domestic cricket structure with the Wellington Blaze.
His immediate responsibilities will involve preparing the squad for a home series against the South Africa emerging women’s team, followed by a tour to Thailand. A primary objective for the team under his leadership will be the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, a tournament that determines qualification for the main global event.
The appointment of Coles marks a new chapter for the Zimbabwean women’s team as it aims to secure a position in major international tournaments. His contract details were not publicly disclosed in the initial announcement.
