Heath Streak: Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Heath Streak has died at the age of 49 on 22nd August’2023, Tuesday. He was undergoing treatment for Cancer. Streak was undergoing treatment under one of the most respected oncologists in South Africa, his family had revealed in May but the all-rounder lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.
Heath Streak
Heath Streak was the captain of Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2004. Streak was an all-rounder and the leading Test wicket-taker for his country. Streak had the most international wickets for Zimbabwe (453). Streak took 216 wickets and scored 1,990 runs in 65 Tests between 1993 and 2005. He also played in 189 one-day internationals, scoring 2,943 runs and taking 239 wickets.
Following his retirement in 2005, Streak transitioned into coaching roles, lending his expertise to various teams across domestic and international cricket. His coaching journey encompassed tenures with Bangladesh, his home nation Zimbabwe and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Post-retirement Streak served as Bangladesh coach and was the bowling coach of twice Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
In 2021 he was given an eight-year ban from the sport after admitting breaches of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code. He took “full responsibility” for his actions but said he was never involved in any attempts to fix matches. A significant charge against him was his acceptance of a payment in bitcoins from an individual with corrupt intentions.
The allegations span a wide range of games, covering the years 2017 and 2018. These accusations revolve around his post-retirement coaching career, which included stints in international cricket with Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2018.
Also, his involvement extended to various T20 leagues such as the IPL, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).
“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…” wrote former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga.
Early and Personal Life of Heath Streak
Heath Streak was born on March 16, 1974, as Heath Hilton Streak in Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He completed his education at the Rhodes Estate Preparatory School and Falcon College. His father, Denis Streak, was also a first-class cricketer. He held a junior hunter’s license prior to becoming a professional cricketer.
Streak was married to Nadine Streak, with whom he had one son.
Professional Career of Heath Streak
First Class Debut ( Domestic ) – Team ( Zimbabwe B ) on 30 March 1993 at Harare Sports Club.
T20 Debut – Represented Warwickshire against Glamorgan on 8 July 2004
Captain of Warwickshire in 2006 – 2 years contract
ODI Debut ( International ) – 10 November 1993 against South Africa
Test Debut ( International ) – In Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan 1993/1994 (on 1 December 1993). Made his mark in International Cricket – By taking 8 wickets in the 2nd Test at Rawalpindi (9–14 December 1993) also won the Man of the series award. It is also the most number of wickets taken by a Zimbabwean bowler in a test series.
Nominated for ICC ODI Player of the Year during the 2004 ICC Awards
Streak was the most successful test captain of Zimbabwe with four wins and he was also the second most successful ODI captain for Zimbabwe with 18 wins
Streak retired from international cricket in October 2005 to become captain of Warwickshire County Cricket Club having previously played county cricket for Hampshire. He also captained his fellow exiled players from Zimbabwe in the Red Lions cricket team, which plays charity games in England.
In August 2009, Streak was appointed the bowling coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team.
He was appointed Bangladesh’s bowling coach in May 2014 until 2016 for a contract of two years.
In July 2016, he was appointed the consultant of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association Academy, India.
In October 2016, Streak was appointed head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team replacing Dav Whatmore.
Previously, he has also served as bowling coach for Gujarat Lions franchise in 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons.
In April 2021, Streak was banned from all cricketing activities for 8 years for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption policies.
Streak was found guilty of assisting a corruptor contact players.
Streak received two bitcoins (worth around US$ 35,000), and an iPhone as payment from the corruptor in 2017.
He was accused of disclosing inside information (non-public information) about the franchise T20 leagues including Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League and Afghanistan Premier League.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigated Heath Streak and they found that the former cricketer and coach and was involved in various activities that breached the code. Heath Streak was found to be in constant contact with a Delhi-based businessman named Deepak Agarwal and they both carried the violation of the code together. Deepak Agarwal was also banned by the ACU in the year 2019 for carrying out various corrupt activities.
Streak also founded the Heath Streak Academy (also better known as Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy Trust) in 2014 which was established for the development and growth of cricket throughout Zimbabwe.
He resigned from heading the Heath Streak Academy Trust in 2021 following eight-year ban by the ICC and the academy was later renamed as Zimbabwe Youth Cricket Academy.
On 13 May 2023 it was reported that, Streak had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon and liver cancer, and was “on his deathbed”.
Heath Streak’s net worth or net income is estimated to be $1 million – $9 million dollars. He has made such an amount of wealth from his primary career as a Cricket Player.
Truth or Rumour
Heath Streak was at his home in Zimbabwe when he heard news of his ‘demise’. As the news spread and tributes poured in from across the world, Streak confirmed to Sportstar that he is in ‘good health and recovering from cancer’.
“People should be a bit more careful before spreading such rumours. I am better now and recovering from cancer,” a rather disappointed Streak said on Wednesday.