Heath Streak Dismisses Death Rumours: ‘Very Much Alive’
Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has dismissed the rumours surrounding his death, confirming that he is ‘very much alive’, according to a conversation shared by Henry Olonga.
Earlier this week, reports of Streak’s death began to circulate, claiming that he had lost his battle with lung and liver cancer. However, Olonga took to social media to clarify the situation and share evidence suggesting otherwise.
Olonga posted a screenshot of his conversation with Streak, confirming that the news of his demise is greatly exaggerated. Streak, in his text, jokingly asked his former teammate to “revert this runout IMMEDIATELY”. Olonga responded with relief, expressing how quickly the false news had spread.
Streak is considered one of the greatest cricketers to have played for Zimbabwe. He represented the country in 65 Tests and 189 ODIs between 1993 and 2005. As a fast bowling all-rounder, Streak is the only Zimbabwean to have taken 100 or more wickets in Test cricket, finishing his career with 216 scalps at an average of 28.14. He also captained the team from 2000 to 2004.
Following his playing career, Streak took up various coaching assignments, including coaching Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Gujarat Lions. However, in August 2021, he was banned from all cricket for eight years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being found guilty of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code.
Streak accepted five charges but denied involvement in fixing matches or attempting to influence games. In his statement following the ICC verdict, he made it clear that he was not involved in any illegal activities during his career.
The news of Streak’s death, which was later debunked by Olonga’s confirmation, caused great concern and sadness among cricket fans and the sports community. It serves as a reminder of the impact of fake news and the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
Heath Streak’s Career Achievements
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 65 | 216 | 28.14 |
| ODIs | 189 | – | – |
Heath Streak’s contribution to Zimbabwean cricket is unquestionable. His skills and leadership abilities had a significant impact on the team and he will always be remembered as one of the country’s cricketing legends.