Former Zimbabwe Captain Heath Streak Passes Away Aged 49: Reports

image-lln529pzHeath Streak played 65 Tests and 189 ODIs for Zimbabwe [Source: X.com]

As reported by reputed media outlet Fox Sports, former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, aged 49, passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with cancer.

One of the main reasons behind Zimbabwe's rise in cricket between the late 1990s and early 2000s, the pacer played 65 Tests, and 189 ODIs, amassing 4,933 runs and scalping 455 wickets.

Streak was the first and only Zimbabwean player to complete a double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests, and also 2,000 runs and 200 wickets in ODIs. Post-retirement in 2005, Streak served as a coach for Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively. 

The fast bowler was admitted to a hospital in South Africa in May 2022, which close family members said was due to colon and liver cancer. 

Several former and current internationals took to the social media site 'X' and expressed their condolences.

Streak, the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe in international cricket with 455 wickets, was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for eight years after being charged with five breaches of their anti-corruption code in 2021. 

One of Streak's most memorable cricketing moments came in 2001, when he captained Zimbabwe to a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand, handing the nation its first-ever overseas series win. 

However, his captaincy stint came to an abrupt end in 2004 following his rebel against the-then President, with the 22-year-old Tatenda Taibu succeeding him.