Dave Houghton resigns as Zimbabwe head coach after failing to qualify for T20 World Cup

Dave Houghton has resigned from his position as Zimbabwe head coach after failing to guide them to next year's T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe were the only Test-playing nation not to qualify for the tournament in June, with Namibia and Uganda coming through the African group.

The former Derbyshire coach, who played in Zimbabwe's first ever ODI in 1983 and captained his country at the 1992 World Cup, wrote to the board telling them he had "lost the change room" and the squad needed a "new voice".

The Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board accepted Houghton's resignation but said he will remain within the country's cricket structures and be reassigned new role.

ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said: "Dave will always be a legend of our game and it is with regret that he felt the changeroom needed a new voice.

"While the past few months have been disappointing as we failed to qualify for both the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past year to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.

"Dave leaves the team with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts and we are looking forward to working with him in a different role as we seek to change our on-field fortunes."

Houghton added: "I have always had Zimbabwe cricket at heart and, though my coaching of the national team comes to an end, I would love to be involved in other areas.

"The talent base in Zimbabwe is enormous. How we move players from talented to performing well on the international stage is a great project to be involved in."

An interim coaching team will be announced and be in charge of Zimbabwe during their tour to Sri Lanka in January for a white-ball series.

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