Zimbabwe have paid tribute to their former captain and coach Heath Streak after his death at the age of 49, reports The Guardian.
Streak had been living with colon cancer and his wife Nadine wrote on Facebook on Sunday morning that he had been “carried to be with the angels”.
A post on Zimbabwe’s official Twitter account read: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of former (Zimbabwe) captain Heath Streak. His contributions to cricket will always be remembered, and he will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.”
Streak is Zimbabwe’s record wicket-taker in both Test cricket - with 216, the only Zimbabwean to even reach three figures - and one-day internationals with 237 scalps, again over 100 clear of the field. He took seven five-wicket Test hauls and another in a 1997 ODI against India. He also still stands seventh in their list of Test run-scorers with 1,990.
He was named captain in 2000 but resigned initially a year later and then again in 2004 as both cricketing and political issues plagued the national team. He took over as Zimbabwe’s head coach in 2016 but was sacked two years later after they missed out on World Cup qualification.
In 2021, Streak was banned from cricket for eight years after admitting five breaches of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption code.
Nadine Streak’s Facebook post read: “In the early hours of this morning, Sunday September 3 2023, the greatest love of my life and the father of my beautiful children was carried to be with the angels from his home where he wished to spend his last days surrounded by his family and closest loved ones. He was covered in love and peace and did not walk off the park alone.”
Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders, with whom Streak had a coaching role late in his career, wrote: “A sad day for the cricket fraternity. Rest in peace, Heath Streak.”
He also captained Warwickshire in 2006 and had coaching stints with Scotland and Somerset. Former Zimbabwe team-mate Henry Olonga wrote on Facebook: “RIP Streaky. You were a titan”
The former India batter Virender Sehwag, said: “Sad to hear the passing away of Heath Streak. He was a prominent figure in the rise of Zimbabwe cricket in the late 90s and early 2000s and very competitive. Heartfelt Condolences to his family and friends.”