Zimbabwe’s former cricket captain Heath Streak dies after long illness

Zimbabwe’s former cricket captain, Heath Streak has passed away at the age of 49 after a long battle with liver and colon cancer.

Streak, who was the nation’s all-time leading wicket-taker, was a revered figure in the cricketing world. His wife, Nadine Streak, announced the news on social media, expressing her profound loss and describing Heath as the love of her life and the father of their beautiful children.

Heath Streak was known for his outstanding fast bowling abilities and his proficiency as a batsman. He played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe teams that often rivalled cricket’s more prominent nations in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Streak’s performances on the cricket field brought inspiration and hope to a nation undergoing numerous challenges.

However, Streak’s cricketing career faced a devastating blow in 2021 when he was banned for eight years for violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code. The ban tarnished his reputation and left many of his fans in disbelief. Nevertheless, Streak’s impact and achievements throughout his career cannot be diminished.

Earlier this year, in May, it was announced that Streak was seriously ill, which caused great concern among his supporters and the cricketing community at large. In August, there were erroneous reports circulating on social media stating that he had passed away. Streak himself promptly denied these rumours and clarified that he was still alive. Nevertheless, the false reports prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from former teammates and opponents who wished to pay their respects to the legendary cricketer.

One of Zimbabwe’s greatest

When it comes to cricket, Zimbabwe has produced some exceptional talent over the years. One player who stands out among the rest is none other than Heath Streak. Known for his prowess as a fast bowler and his ability to extract movement from unhelpful pitches, Streak has left an indelible mark on Zimbabwean cricket.

In his illustrious career, Streak took an impressive 236 wickets in 65 Test matches, with an average of 28.14. This feat places him at the top of the list as the highest wicket-taker for Zimbabwe in Test cricket. To put it into perspective, no other Zimbabwe bowler has managed to take more than 80 Test wickets, highlighting Streak’s exceptional talent and skill.

Not only was Streak a formidable bowler, but he also showcased his proficiency with the bat. He scored 1,990 runs in Tests, with an average of 22.35. This accomplishment ranks him seventh on Zimbabwe’s all-time list of run-scorers in Test cricket. His highest individual score of 127 not out, achieved against the West Indies in 2003, remains a testament to his batting abilities.

Streak’s success was not limited to the Test format. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he took an impressive 237 wickets in 187 matches. To put this into perspective, his nearest rival falls short by 104 wickets, showcasing his dominance in this format of the game. He also managed to score 2,901 runs in ODIs, further solidifying his reputation as an all-rounder.

One defining moment in Streak’s career came during a Test match against India in 2005. Despite India’s formidable total of 366 runs, Streak showcased his bowling prowess by taking six wickets for just 73 runs. Although Zimbabwe ultimately lost the match by ten wickets, Streak’s exceptional performance stood out as a shining moment in his cricketing journey.

Streak’s leadership skills were also commendable. He had two spells as the captain of the Zimbabwean cricket team, despite facing adversities along the way. In 2001, Streak found himself embroiled in a dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket over pay and racial quota issues, which interrupted his captaincy. However, during his tenure, he managed to lead Zimbabwe to their first-ever Test victory against India in Harare in the same year. His exceptional performance with both bat and ball, especially dismissing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in both innings, showcased his leadership abilities and his determination to succeed.

Streak’s leadership prowess extended beyond the Test format, as he captained Zimbabwe in 68 ODIs, including the 2003 World Cup. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage, showcasing his ability to motivate and lead his team towards success.

As a result of these events, the team experienced a significant decline and temporarily lost their Test-playing status. In 2005, he made the decision to retire from international cricket. Following his playing career with English county Warwickshire, he transitioned into coaching and became Zimbabwe’s bowling coach in 2009. Throughout his coaching journey, he had the opportunity to work in various countries such as Bangladesh, India, England, and Scotland.

From 2016 to 2018, Streak held the position of Zimbabwe’s head coach. Unfortunately, he was ultimately dismissed from this role when the team failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. The ICC then issued an eight-year ban against him due to his involvement in passing on player information and contacts to an unidentified individual from India. Additionally, it was discovered that he received payment in Bitcoin totaling $35,000.

While Streak admitted his accountability for these actions, he vehemently denied any involvement in match-fixing.