HARARE - Zimbabwe Cricket has announced it will advertise the post of national team coach, four months ahead of the expiry of current coach Alan Butcher’s contract.

Englishman Butcher was appointed Zimbabwe coach in February 2010 and was initially credited with turning a struggling Zimbabwe side into a competitive unit, but recent results have not been pleasing, with the latest poor showing being at the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.

Names which have been thrown around as possible replacements for Butcher include those of the current technical bench of batting coach Grant Flower and bowling coach Heath Streak as well as former coach Dave Houghton.

Long-time assistant coach Steven Mangongo, who has also been touted as possible heir apparent, has been elbowed out of the race by virtue of not having played at least first-class cricket, which is one of the requirements for aspiring coaches.

If ZC does not renew Butcher’s contract, next March’s tour of the West Indies will be his last in charge of Zimbabwe.

Also vacant is the post of Zimbabwe Under-19 coach, which is currently being held by former New Zealan spin bowler Chris Harris.

Harris’ contract expired last month. - Sports Writer