In what came as a shocking news to the entire cricketing fraternity, former Zimbabwean legendary pacer Henry Olongo had revealed that Heath Streak had succumbed to his cancer ailment at the age of 49. Streak was one of the most talented cricketers of Zimbabwe and had carved his niche during his cricketing tenure.
But in a twist to the tale, he later confirmed that Streak was “very much alive” and that the “third umpire has called him back”.
“I can confirm that rumours of the demise of Heath Streak have been greatly exaggerated. I just heard from him. The third umpire has called him back. He is very much alive,” said Henry Olongo, took to micro-blogging platform X (previously known as Twitter).
As per several reports, he was battling cancer in South Africa. Former Zimbabwean pacer Henry Olongo had previously announced the news of Streak’s death.
“Sad news coming through that Heath Streak has crossed to the other side. RIP @ZimCricketv legend. The greatest all-rounder we produced. It was a pleasure playing with you. See you on the other side when my bowling spell comes to an end,” said Olonga.
A revered figure in the cricketing world, Streak’s contributions to the sport are nothing short of remarkable. His dedication, skill, and unwavering passion for cricket inspired many, both on and off the field. As a player, Streak’s performances were a testament to his commitment to excellence.
“Streaky. No words can explain what you and your family have done for mine and many others Our hearts our broken you leave behind a beautiful family and a legacy for us to live up to! You will be missed we love you dearly Rest in peace Streaky,” wrote Sean Williams on X.
The entire cricketing world had plunged into a state of shock and sadness upon hearing the news of the demise of such a legendary cricketer. But they would be equally relieved upon hearing that his death was just a rumour.
Heath Streak is one of the most decorated cricketers of Zimbabwe
Heath Streak played 65 Tests and 189 ODIs for Zimbabwe. Streak is the only Zimbabwean bowler to have more than 100 wickets and 1000 runs in Tests. He captained his side from 2000 to 2004 and was an astute leader.
Streak made both his Test and One-Day International debuts in 1993, and in 2000, he was named captain of the team after consistently producing both with the bat and with the ball.
Streak has 216 wickets under his belt in Test cricket and 239 wickets in ODIs. One of the most decorated bowlers in Zimbabwean cricketing folklore, Streak has been an indispensable part of their cricketing culture.
He was also the bowling coach of the Bangladesh cricket team and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), post his retirement from playing cricket.
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