The circumstances surrounding Heath Streak’s dismissal as Zimbabwe captain remain cloudy, but whatever they are the outcome is disastrous for cricket and the country.
Streak is a proud Zimbabwean who stuck with the team and country through years of turmoil. In my view he was braver than Andy Flower and Henry Olonga for staying, rather than quitting.
I can’t believe he made an ultimatum to the board; that’s not his style. More likely he requested changes and perhaps applied some pressure. Elements of the board probably saw that as an opportunity to “clean out” white influence and elevate a black captain.
The official announcement said that Streak was quitting all forms of cricket. I just checked the ZCU web site and Streak is currently playing as captain of Matabaleland against Mashonaland.
He took 4/49 in Mashonaland’s first innings and has 4/31 in their second innings with the score at 4/90, including the wicket of his replacement as Zimbabwe captain, Tatenda Taibu, bowled for a duck, giving Taibu a pair for the match.
Streak also scored 107 out of Matabaleland’s first innings total of 271. Zimbabwe can’t afford to lose a player with his talents.
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