Curran wants specialist coaches

Kevin Curran believes using the likes of Gary Kirsten will benefit Zimbabwe's cricket © Getty Images

Zimbabwe are keen to employ specialist coaches in the run up to the Twenty20 World Championships in September. Following the likes of England - who employ Allan Donald, Andy Flower and possibly soon Jonty Rhodes - Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran is eager to follow suit and use former international players.

Gary Kirsten, the former South Africa opening batsman, recently visited the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy in Harare as a consultant to the Zimbabwe squad and the move was seen as a success. Curran believes the input gained from such consultations can be very useful and would like to see the trend continue.

"We want to make it a regular occurrence, I thought Gary's visit was fantastic," he said. "You should have seen how the guys were excited to learn from him. It's also good for our local coaches because they get to learn from someone who has seen it at the top level. We are hoping to get as many top past players as we can."

Zimbabwe's next international assignment is a three-match one-day series against South Africa in August as a build-up to the Twenty20 World Championships.