Zimbabwean cricket legend Heath Streak ‘very much alive’ after death rumour

A former international cricket captain and his country’s leading wicket taker has responded after social media spread news of his death.

Heath Streak in action for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean cricket legend Heath Streak has said is “hurt” after a rumour of his death at the age of 49 spread around the internet.

Fans and former teammates of Streak took to social media to mourn the loss on Wednesday after his ex-teammate Henry Olonga tweeted about his demise in a since deleted tweet.

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Olonga then posted another tweet, revealing Streak had been in contact and was “very much alive”.

“I can confirm that rumours of the demise of Heath Streak have been greatly exaggerated. I just heard from him. The third umpire has called him back. He is very much alive folks,” he tweeted.

I can confirm that rumours of the demise of Heath Streak have been greatly exaggerated. I just heard from him. The third umpire has called him back. He is very much alive folks. pic.twitter.com/LQs6bcjWSB

— Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) August 23, 2023

However, the reports of Streak’s death were widespread and the Zimbabwean legend released his own statement.

“It’s a total rumour and lie,” he told website Mid-Day via WhatsApp.

“I am 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.

“I believe the source should apologise, I am hurt by the news.”

Streak, who is a former captain of Zimbabwe and the nation's leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket, is reportedly battling liver cancer.

Heath Streak after taking six wickets against India. Photo by ALEXANDER JOE / AFP

The all-rounder was one of the minnow nation’s best ever players during his career which ran between 1993 and 2005.

Streak is Zimbabwe’s best ever bowler in Test and One-Day International cricket, having taken 216 wickets at 28.14 across 75 Tests, as well as 237 wickets at 29.81 in 187 ODIs.

He also tallied two wickets representing the Africa XI against an Asia XI in 2005.

For the record, the second best Test bowler for Zimbabwe was Ray Price, who took 80 wickets in 22 Tests, while Prosper Utseya had the second best tally with 133 wickets in 164 matches in ODI cricket.

Steak’s overall tally of 455 international wickets is the 44th most in international cricket history, with 11 more wickets than Shoaib Aktar, three wickets less than Aussie legend Dennis Lillee and more than double the wickets of the next Zimbabwean Graeme Cremer, who had 211 international wickets.

His 1990 Test runs are also the seventh most in Zimbabwean cricket history, while his 2901 ODI runs are also ranked 12th.

Heath Streak celebrates the wicket Damien Martyn.

Post-career, worked in coaching, working for nations such as Bangladesh, Scotland and Zimbabwe, as well as taking the role of bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

However, Streak is also currently banned from working in cricket, having been found guilty of five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption policies in 2021.

The charges including reportedly facilitating introductions between a “corrupter” and people within teams he was part of as well as disclosing inside information about matches he was involved in in 2018.

Earlier this year, he revealed he was getting treatment for cancer.

“Heath has cancer and is undergoing treatment under one of the most respected oncologists in South Africa,” his family said in a statement at the time.

“He remains in good spirits and will continue to fight this disease in a similar vein to that which his opponents faced during his revered days on the cricket field.”