But now, Heath Streak is released from ICL stint as he is engaged with official cricket.
Link: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/inside.aspx ... 3603&cat=5
Heath Streak renounces ICL contract
By Mehluli Sibanda
FORMER Zimbabwe senior national team captain Heath Streak has been released from his Indian Cricket League (ICL) contract, paving way for his involvement in official cricket in the country.
Streak was one of the former international cricketers who opted out of the unofficial ICL.
The former Zimbabwe skipper turned out for the Ahmedabad Rockets and took part in two tournaments in the ICL.
He confirmed that he had pulled out of contract with the rebel league but at the age of 35, he feels he does not have much to contribute as a player and his main priority is coaching.
“I asked to be released from my ICL contract and that was granted and I can get involved with formal cricket in Zimbabwe. At 35, I do not think I am fit enough to play so my first priority is coaching,” said Streak.
Reliable sources have revealed to Sunday News that Streak is being earmarked by Zimbabwe Cricket as a member of the national Under-19 team to assist coach Kevin Curran ahead of the International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup to be staged in Kenya at the beginning of next year.
The sources further revealed that Streak recently met with a top ZC official whose identity is known to Sunday News in Harare to discuss ways in which the former Zimbabwe skipper could contribute to the game that gave him fame and fortune.
Streak did confirm the meeting but did not delve much into it for fear of breaching confidentiality.
A brilliant all-rounder during his days, Streak retired from international cricket in October 2005 after being offered the captaincy by English county side Warwickshire whom he had joined in 2004.
Streak stepped down from the Warwickshire captaincy at the beginning of the 2007 season and eventually retired from first-class cricket at the end of the 2007 county season and last year he signed up for the ICL.
Despite being the first to be initiated, the ICL was however branded rebel and was not recognised by the ICC while the international cricket mother body backed the highly successful Indian Premier League launched by the Board of Cricket Control of India which has held two tournaments, the second which ended in South Africa last Sunday.
Streak is already involved with the game locally as he is part of a committee set up to revive the sport in Matabeleland. Other members of the committee are his father Dennis and former Matabeleland fast bowler Ethan Dube.