HARARE: Zimbabwean cricket legend Heath Streak, the former captain and celebrated all-rounder, has tragically lost his battle with advanced colon and liver cancer at the age of 49, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo on Sunday.
The sad news was confirmed by his grieving wife, Nadine Streak, who shared the devastating update via a heartfelt Facebook post. She wrote, “In the wee hours of Sunday morning, September 3rd, 2023, the greatest love of my life and the father of my children was carried to be with the angels from his home where he wished to spend his last days surrounded by his family and closest loved ones. He was covered in peace and love and did not walk off the park alone. Our souls are joined for eternity Streaky. Till I hold you again.”
Zimbabwe’s cricket community and fans alike have expressed their deep condolences and paid tribute to the cricketing icon. The official Zimbabwe Champions conveyed their sympathies, stating, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of Heath Streak. His contributions to the game of cricket will always be remembered, and he will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of former @ZimCricketv 🇿🇼 Captain Heath Streak. His contributions to cricket will always be remembered, and he will be dearly missed. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/U0ZjGsf109
— Zimbabwe (@Zimbabwe_EN) September 3, 2023
Former fellow cricketer Henry Olonga also shared his respects, saying, “RIP Streaky.”
RIP Streaky
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) September 3, 2023
It is worth noting that on August 24, Olonga had previously announced Streak’s passing on social media but later deleted the post after Streak himself debunked the false reports. Streak, who had been battling colon cancer since his diagnosis in May, expressed disappointment with such rumors, emphasizing the need for caution before spreading unverified news.
Heath Streak’s Cricket Career
Heath Streak was a towering figure in Zimbabwean cricket, particularly during the 1990s when the nation enjoyed significant success in international cricket. He represented Zimbabwe in 65 Test matches, making him the second-most capped Test player for the country, and in 189 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1993 and 2005. Renowned for his outstanding bowling skills, Streak claimed 216 Test wickets and 239 ODI wickets, making him the leading bowler in Zimbabwean cricket history, with the distinction of being the only bowler to achieve over 100 Test wickets and over 200 ODI wickets.
Streak also showcased his versatility as a cricketer by contributing with the bat. He became Zimbabwe’s seventh-highest Test run-scorer with 1990 runs and was among the 16 Zimbabwean batters who surpassed the 2000-run mark in ODIs, ending his career with 2943 runs.
Making his international debut at just 19 years old in 1993, Streak quickly made a name for himself in the cricketing world. His memorable performances, including taking eight wickets in a single Test match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, solidified his status as a cricketing legend. However, his career was not without its challenges. In 2001, he resigned as captain due to the impact of leadership on his performance, and in 2004, he resigned as captain once more after a clash with the cricket board, leading to the walkout of 13 other white players from the national team.
In 2021, Streak faced a significant controversy when he was banned for eight years after admitting to five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code, including accepting payment in bitcoins from a potential corruptor. Despite the ban, he maintained his innocence regarding match-fixing allegations but acknowledged disclosing inside information related to international matches.
At the time of his passing, Heath Streak was still serving his ban, leaving a complex and multifaceted legacy in the world of cricket. His contributions to the sport and the challenges he faced will be remembered by cricket fans worldwide.
