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Zimbabwe Cricket captain Sean Williams quits

Published

3 years ago

August 26, 2021

BY FIRDOSE MOONDA

Sean Williams has informed the Zimbabwe team management of his intention to step away from international cricket after the team’s current tour of Ireland, but he remains open to the possibility of playing white-ball cricket for the country in the future.

Williams, the Zimbabwe Test captain right now, is with the national team in Ireland, but had earlier requested the selectors to not consider him for the five T20Is in Ireland, starting Friday, or the T20Is in Scotland next month.

But he is available for the three ODIs against Ireland, which will come after the T20Is.

ESPNcricinfo understands that he has cited bio bubble fatigue and uncertainty over his future as a cricketer as the main reasons for his decision.

Williams arrived in Ireland on Wednesday, six days after the rest of the squad, after requesting a mental-health break from the T20I series, and told the team management of his decision shortly after completing his isolation.

Before his arrival, Zimbabwe Cricket had to announce a fifth captain since the start of 2020 for the tour.

Craig Ervine will lead the side in Ireland and Scotland following on from Chamu Chibhabha, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Williams over the last few series.

ESPNcricinfo understands that while Williams was not unhappy to not be given leadership duties on this tour, he had several other gripes with the way Zimbabwe cricket is being run and their string of poor results.

Under coach Lalchand Rajput, Zimbabwe have only won four ODIs in three years, all against the UAE, and there are serious concerns among senior players that they will not qualify for the 2023 50-over World Cup – Zimbabwe are currently at the bottom of the World Cup Super League points table.

Williams (34), is a veteran of the Zimbabwe team, having made his international debut in 2005, when he turned out in an ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Overall, he has played 14 Tests, 136 ODIs and 47 T20Is. Primarily a middle-order batter, the left-handed Williams has 1034 runs in Tests, at an average of 41.36, with four centuries and three half-centuries, as well as 3958 ODI runs at 35.02, with four hundreds and 32 fifties.

He also 945 runs in T20Is, at an average of 22.50 and strike rate of 128.39, with six fifties.

To go with those numbers, he has picked up 21 wickets in Tests, 72 in ODIs, and 32 in T20Is with his left-arm spin.

He led Zimbabwe for the first time during a triangular T20I series in Singapore, with Nepal as the third team, in September-October 2019, but has been the team’s captain in a more regular capacity since 2020.

His performance with the bat, especially, has been noteworthy since he was given the reins of the Test team: three of his four Test centuries have come in four Tests as captain, including his best of 151* in what could turn out to be his last Test, and he has an average of 96.20 in those games. – ESPNcricinfo

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Tsholotsho burglar lands six-month jail term

Published

16 hours ago

January 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY COURT REPORTER

A Tsholotsho man’s life of crime came crashing down when he was sentenced to six months in prison for burglary.

Mengesi Sibanda, 26, from Susumani line, was convicted of stealing ZAR1600 in cash from a complainant’s bedroom on January 9.

The court heard that Sibanda had unlocked the complainant’s bedroom door and made off with the cash. He then gave ZAR1500 to his accomplice, Zikhiye Ncube, who transported the stolen money to South Africa and handed it over to Sibanda’s wife.

Meanwhile, Sibanda blew ZAR100 of the stolen cash on beer at local outlets.

In passing sentence, the Tsholotsho Magistrates’ Court condemned Sibanda’s actions, saying he had shown no remorse for his crime.

Sibanda was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition of restitution. He will serve an effective six months behind bars.

Lupane

Lupane man jailed for 12 months over domestic violence

Published

16 hours ago

January 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Lupane man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for physically abusing his wife on two separate occasions.

The incidents occurred on December 27, 2024, and January 2 this year, with the accused assaulting his wife with open hands, fists, and a whip, causing injuries to her face and body.

The court heard that the first incident was sparked by a domestic dispute over the complainant’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve.

The accused became violent, assaulting his wife, who managed to escape and seek refuge at her aunt’s homestead.

In a shocking turn of events, the accused visited his wife at her aunt’s homestead, seeking forgiveness, and she agreed to return home with him.

However, upon their arrival, the accused again accused his wife of infidelity and assaulted her multiple times with a whip.

The court sentenced the accused to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition of good behavior.

In Zimbabwe, domestic violence is a serious crime, and perpetrators can face up to 10 years in prison under the Domestic Violence Act [Chapter 5:16]. The court’s decision in this case sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

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Prof. Gandiwa appointed new ZimParks director general

Published

1 day ago

January 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has announced the appointment of Professor Edson Gandiwa as its new Director General, effective immediately.

According to a statement released by ZimParks, Prof. Gandiwa brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation and higher education to the role. Previously, he served as Director of Scientific Services at ZimParks from 2021 to 2025.

Prof. Gandiwa’s impressive academic credentials include a PhD in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, as well as a Master’s degree in Tropical Resource Ecology from the University of Zimbabwe.

A renowned expert in his field, Prof. Gandiwa has authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and currently chairs the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee under the United Nations Environment Programme.

His appointment follows the departure of Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, who has taken up a new role as Director General in the President’s department.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo welcomed Prof. Gandiwa’s appointment, saying his expertise would be invaluable in driving the organization’s conservation efforts forward.