Contrary to the rumors that have circulated online, former Zimbabwe cricket captain Heath Streak is very much alive. The cricketing community was collectively taken aback by the false reports of Streak's passing earlier on Wednesday. However, a post on X, the rebranded social platform once known as Twitter, reaffirmed his existence and dispelled the rumors.
Former cricketer Henry Olonga took to the platform to clarify the situation, stating, "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."
Olonga, who was initially the bearer of the news of Streak's supposed passing, swiftly corrected the misinformation, indicating that Streak was indeed alive and well.
Reports had circulated suggesting that Streak had lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, which led to heartfelt tributes from former teammates and various media outlets.
Heath Streak remains one of Zimbabwe's most celebrated sports figures from the 1990s and early 2000s. Over the course of his career, he represented Zimbabwe in 65 Test matches and 189 One Day Internationals (ODIs), achieving a remarkable record of 4933 runs and 455 wickets for his nation.
Post his retirement in 2005, Streak transitioned into coaching roles for both domestic and international teams, including stints with Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
However, in 2021, his reputation faced a significant blow as he was handed an eight-year ban following charges of five breaches of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption code. Earlier this year, Streak revealed that he was engaged in a battle against cancer.
In response to these health challenges, his family released a statement stating, "Heath has cancer and is undergoing treatment under one of the most respected oncologists in South Africa. 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."
The cricketing world remains relieved by the clarification about Heath Streak's wellbeing, and his ongoing battle against cancer serves as a testament to his enduring spirit both on and off the field.