Streak, 31, (d.o.b. March 16, 1974) said his decision was prompted
by financial and personal considerations.
“I’ve called it a day (internationally) to perform
my duties for Warwickshire, who have offered me a two-year contract
and want to appoint me as captain”, Streak told Reuters
from his farm near Bulawayo on October 18.
“In terms of the financial aspects, it’s a significent
improvement for me and this will also leave six months of the
year open to me to spend time with my family,” he further
added.
As a player, Streak is the first and so far only Zimbabwe bowler
to capture 200 wickets in both Tests and One-Day Internationals,
and retired as his country’s top bowler/marksman.
He played in 65 Tests (21 as captain) and 183 One-Day Internationals,
and under him Zimbabwe achieved four of their eight Test wins
in 75 Tests, making him also the troubled country’s most
successful captain.
A fast bowler who grew into an all-rounder -- Health Streak carried
the Zimbabwe attack on his big shoulders for almost all his career
and is unarguably one of the greatest players his country has
produced along with retired Andy Flower.
The ever-controversial Streak was sacked as captain in April 2004
after he questioned Zimbabwe’s selectorial policies as racially
biased.
His removal as captain led to a walkout by 15 of Zimbabwe’s
most senior players and began the country’s spiral from
beatable but feisty opponents at best, to a weak team that has
lost five of their last six Tests by plenty including defeat at
the hands of lowly Bangladesh.
Streak and some of the other rebel players later returned to the
foyer and Zimbabwe fold.
He did concede, however, that it would be difficult to let go
after 12 years, but added that he may still have a role to play
in the game for his country.
“I haven’t closed the door on future involvement in
Zimbabwe cricket in areas such as commentating and coaching.”
He has represented Warwickshire for two years.
The sun-bronzed Heath Hilton Streak was born in Bulawayo and fitted
the image of a well-muscled outdoor hard-back African.
A six-feet tall robust right-arm fast medium opening bowler and
hard-hitting lower or tail-end batsman, he made his First Class
debut in 1992/93.
His lone Test century was a splendid unbeaten 127 against the
West Indies at Harare in 2003/04.
Streak ended his career with the Zimbabwe record of 216 Test wickets
at an average of 28.14 -- he is one of only 48 bowlers in 128
years of Test match cricket to take 200 or more wickets.
What a fine streak!
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