Cricket legend forced to announce he is not dead after teammate's tribute

23 August 2023 , 15:32

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Heath Streak is regarded by many as one of the greatest Zimbabwean cricket players

Zimbabwe cricket legend Heath Streak has confirmed he is "alive and well" after a former teammate incorrectly announced his death.

Streak, 49, who captained and coached Zimbabwe, has been undergoing treatment for stage-four colon and liver cancer but it appeared he had lost his battle when Henry Olonga posted an emotional tribute on social media.

In the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Olonga said: "Sad news coming through that Heath Streak has crossed to the other side. RIP legend. The greatest allrounder we produced. It was a pleasure playing with you. See you on the other side when my bowling spell comes to an end."

A host of former players and teammates passed on their heartfelt condolences, but Streak, who has been receiving treatment in South Africa announced: "It is a total rumour and a lie. I'm alive and well.

"I am very upset to learn that something as big as someone apparently passing can be spread unverified especially in our day and age of social media."

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Olonga then confirmed he had been misinformed about Streak's condition and posted a screenshot of a message he had received from his ex-teammate. The message from Streak read: "Very much alive...pse revert this runout immediately buddy."

Streak and Olonga played together during the late 90s and early 2000s on the international stage with Zimbabwe, including at the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Streak remains the only Zimbabwean bowler to take over 100 Test and ODI wickets.

He enjoyed spells in England with Hampshire and Warwickshire before retiring in 2005 and taking up a coaching role with Zimbabwe, eventually being named head coach in 2016.

But his tenure wasn't short of controversy when he was forced to resign within two years amid accusations of racism. Streak was also banned from all cricket activities for eight years for corruption in 2021, accused of providing inside information about the IPL, where he had previously worked.

Liam Prenderville