Zimbabwe fired national cricket coach Dav Whatmore and captain Hamilton Masakadza Tuesday following its poor showing at the 2016 World Twenty20 tournament in India. "Head coach Davenell Whatmore has had his contract terminated with immediate effect," Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman Darlington Majonga said in a statement. Zimbabwe, which failed to get beyond the preliminary round at the World T20, hosts India in June with three One-Day and two T20 internationals scheduled. Majonga said the sacking followed a review of Zimbabwe's recent performances. Bowling coach and former South Africa star Makhaya Ntini takes over from Whatmore on an interim basis while another ex-Protea, Lance Klusener, will be the batting coach, Majonga said. Former Australia batsman Whatmore was appointed in April last year on a four-year contract. Born in Sri Lanka, Whatmore coached his native country to the 1996 World Cup title. "Following the review, the board has also relieved Zimbabwe top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza of the captaincy for all three formats of the game," Majonga said. "His deputy, Graeme Cremer, will act (as captain) in the interim." Fearsome 'Gabbatoir' retains Test status Brisbane's Gabba ground will host Test cricket for at least another three years, it was announced Tuesday, in daunting news for teams visiting Australia. Cricket Australia said a deal had been reached to play a Test annually at the venue until the end of the 2018-19 season, as well as a one-day or Twenty20 international each season for the next three years. Australia has a formidable record at the Gabba, nicknamed the 'Gabbatoir' and known for its heat, fast wicket and unforgiving, partisan crowd. The host has not lost a Test at the venue, in Brisbane's Woolloongabba district, since going down to Viv Richards' great West Indies side in 1988. The ground will this year host its first day-night Test with a pink ball, against Pakistan in December, with a bumper crowd expected.
