New Delhi: Heath Streak, former Zimbabwe’s skipper, who was fighting the battle with cancer died on Tuesday, August 22. Streak was receiving best treatment from the one of the most respected oncologist in South Africa. In 2005, Streak decided to retire from the professional cricket. He was regarded as the best player who ever played the game for Zimbabwe. He accumulated 1990 runs at the average of 22.35, while he picked up 216 wickets at the average of 28.14 in Test cricket.
Streak’s white ball cricket career
Streak smashed 2,943 runs and has 239 wickets under his name in white ball cricket. In 2021, Streak was debarred from the cricket after he was found guilty for violating anti-corruption code of International Cricket Council (ICC).
Career as a coach
After retiring from the international cricket, Streak also served as the coach of many different teams. He played the role of coach in domestic and at international level, which include Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Indian Premier League’s (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Streak captaincy record
In the year 2000, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board appointed Heath Streak as the captain of both the Test and ODI teams. Under Streak’s captaincy, Zimbabwe won 4 out of 21 Test matches while they lost 11. And 6 matches ended in a draw. In ODIs, Streak captained the team in 68 matches and out of this, where there was defeat in 47 matches, the team won 18 matches. After Streak’s death, many former and current players have remembered him through tweets, including Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Here are some tributes:
Extremely sad hearing about the passing away of Heath Streak. He was very competetive and one of Zimbabwe’s best ever all-rounder.
Condolences to his family and friends .
Sad to know that quite a few who I got to play against are no more. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/k7tjV7tkQ6— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 23, 2023
A Streak of Success that is etched in the history of Zimbabwe Cricket! 🇿🇼
Condolences to Heath Streak’s friends and family. pic.twitter.com/9nR9ufO4Ft
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 23, 2023
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…😔
— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) August 22, 2023
Heath Streak is no more. Sad!! Really sad. #RIP
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 23, 2023