Heath Streak was a former Zimbabwean cricketer and cricket coach who represented and led the Zimbabwe national cricket team. |
He was recognized as the finest bowler in Zimbabwean cricket history. |
Streak participated in 65 Test matches and 189 One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe between 1993 and 2005. |
During his career, he set records for the most Test wickets (216) and One Day International wickets (239) by a Zimbabwean player. |
Streak served as the head coach of the Zimbabwe men’s team from 2009 to 2013 and then from 2016 to 2018. |
In April 2021, he received an eight-year ban for violating the ICC anti-corruption code. |
He passed away on 3 September 2023 as a result of colon cancer. |
Heath Streak was wedded to Nadine Streak and shared a family of three kids (Kevin, Holly, and Charlotte) alongside an adopted son named Harry. |
Coming from a ranching family in Bulawayo, Streak had a deep-rooted connection to the land. |
His father, Denis Streak, was a former first-class cricketer who transitioned to representing Zimbabwe in lawn bowls. |
Streak's introduction to cricket was through his father, drawing inspiration from legendary cricketers like Dennis Lillee, Imran Khan, and Richard Hadlee. |
He received cricket instruction from former Test player Bob Blair, as well as Rodney Hogg and Bruce Reid. |
Streak faced repercussions for involvement in corruption, including the exchange of confidential data for financial gain. |
He made history as the first Zimbabwean to feature on Lord’s Honours board in Test cricket. |
Disputes with the cricket board arose during his captaincy, mainly over payment and player quotas. |
He retired from international cricket in 2005 and assumed the captaincy of Warwickshire County. |
Participating in the Indian Cricket League, Streak played for the Ahmedabad Rockets. |
In addition to coaching the Zimbabwe national cricket team, he assumed coaching responsibilities for other outfits. |
After cricket, Streak contributed to his family's farming and safari business. |
He occasionally consumed alcoholic beverages. |