Streak returns as Zimbabwe's bowling coach

[zimfan1]

Streak returns as Zimbabwe's bowling coach

Cricinfo staff

August 24, 2009
Text size: A | A

Heath Streak has been appointed as Zimbabwe's bowling coach, ending a stand-off with the board which dates back to his removal as captain in April 2004, a move which triggered a player strike that threatened the international future of the game inside the country.

"We've been talking to Heath for some time and now that the modalities of his relationship with ZC have been concluded, we have every confidence that his presence in the changing rooms can only be good for the development of our national team," Ozias Bvute, Zimbabwe Cricket's chief executive, said. "A lot has been said and done in the past but the fact is that Heath has made an undisputable contribution to the game of cricket in Zimbabwe and is perhaps the finest bowler this country has had to date. We have collectively agreed to draw a line in the sand and allow for cricket to be the winner."

Streak, who has made no secret of his wish to see Zimbabwe regain their international reputation, said that it was a "great honour" to be back on board. "I am looking forward to being part of the vision to re-build Zimbabwe as a powerful cricket playing nation. I have amassed a wealth of knowledge during my international career and look forward to imparting this knowledge onto Zimbabwe's up and coming talent."

In addition to his duty of setting up the technical structures for the bowling side, Streak will also be seconded to the franchise squads to help them in their first full season.

http://www.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/conten ... 21979.html

[zimfan1]

Great news for Zimbabwe cricket and the up and coming pace bowlers

[maehara]

Bowling coach is probably the ideal role for him - after the bowling performances against Bangladesh, we could certainly use the help. I assume this means Douglas Hondo has been sidelined from his coaching role...

Whatever role he was to take, though, it's good to see Streaky back...

[CrimsonAvenger]

Great news . Now we can look forward to more balanced and stronger bowling unit...

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Yuppieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[eugene]

This is great news. No disrespect to Douglas Hondo, but Heath Streak is a major improvement. With Alistair Campbell and Heath Streak on board is there much left for Walter Chagwuta to do as coach?

[Train Driver]

Brilliant news indeed

This is just about the icing on the cake as far as restructuring the backroom of ZC, the only other change needed now is for an experienced and respected Head Coach.

Hopefully Doug Hondo will be playing again this season in the domestic competitions, he didn't set the world on fire last year but i think he made good progress and he would surely be an ideal coaching partner for Streak whether he is playing or not.

It's great to see experience coming back into the Zim game but i think there is reason to be wary that virtually all these returnees are white, it can't be helped of course because they are who they are, but we certainly don't want to see progress blocked by any silly quota rows and partnerships like Streak/Hondo would be the perfect answer to any racism claims.

These are days of good news for ZC and its supporters, long may they last.

[Tinashce Ruswa]

awe...good for the team......

[Detective RDS]

Great news indeed...

Heath Streak really deserved the job of bowling coach. He can vastly contribute to the game by imparting this service to the Zimbabwean national bowlers. I think, he has a lot to do as a bowling coach with his experience and bowling knowledge. I hope that he will also help out the youngsters in the franchise season as well. Best of luck to him.

I think this releases Douglas Hondo from the bowling coaching job. I think it's not the ideal time for him to coach but he should play as a bowler in his age of 30. Best of luck to him also for the upcoming franchise season and hopefully he will return to the national side soon.

[Detective RDS]

A lot more details article about the appointment of Heath Streak as the national bowling coach is in the herald website.

Link: http://www1.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=9107&cat=5

Streak appointed national bowling coach

By Lawrence Moyo

FORMER Zimbabwean national cricket team captain and fast bowler, Heath Streak, is back as the game in this country continues to take the steps back to normalcy.

The 35-year-old Streak was yesterday appointed bowling coach for the national team with immediate effect, taking over from Douglas Hondo, who had been in the role on an interim basis.

The former Matabeleland all-rounder will join national team coach Walter Chawaguta to start preparations for future international assignments.

This is part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s efforts to expedite the country’s return to the Test arena and also in compliance with some of the recommendations made by the International Cricket Council.

At the weekend, Zimbabwe Cricket announced the appointment of former national team cricketers, David Mutendera and John Rennie, to the three-man national selection panel with effect from September 1.

Former national team captain Alistair Campbell, who was succeeded by Heath Streak, chairs the selection panel.

In the past there had been complaints that the national selection panel was led or dominated by people with no experience at the highest level.

ZC managing director Ozias Bvute said they were confident Streak’s involvement with the national side will help in the development of the game.

Apart from Zimbabwe and Matabeleland, Streak has also played for Africa XI, Ahmedabad Rockets in the rebel Indian Cricket League and also for English County sides Hampshire and Warwickshire.

"We have been talking to Heath for some time and now that the modalities of his relationship with ZC have been concluded, we have every confidence that his presence in the changing rooms can only be good for the development of our national team," said Bvute.

Streak said he was happy to have been given the responsibility to work with national team bowlers and being part of the rebuilding phase.

"It is with great honour that I return to ZC in the role of the national bowling coach and I am looking forward to being part of the vision to re-build Zimbabwe as a powerful cricket playing nation.

"I have amassed a wealth of knowledge during my international career and look forward to imparting this knowledge onto Zimbabwe's up and coming talent," said Streak.

He played 65 Tests between December 1993 and September 2005 and took 216 wickets at an average of 28,14 with a career-best 6-73 against India at Harare Sports Club in September, 2005 in what was to be his final series for Zimbabwe.

He scored 1990 runs at an average of 22,35.

Streak played 189 ODIs and took 239 wickets and scored 2943 runs.

Despite a period of hostility between some of the former national team players like Streak, who are bouncing back into the system, Bvute said both parties have agreed to ignore the ugly past and work for the betterment of local cricket.

Streak quit Zimbabwe in April 2004, bounced back at the beginning of 2005 before finally calling it quits in October of 2005.

He had been the central figure in what became known as the Rebel Saga in April 2004 following his dismissal as captain, which resulted in the other 15 senior players walking out of the national side.

"A lot has been said and done in the past but the fact is that Heath has made an indisputable contribution to the game of cricket in Zimbabwe and is perhaps the finest bowler this country has had to date.

"We have collectively agreed to draw a line in the sand and allow for cricket to be the winner ".

Streak, who was the first Zimbabwean bowler to reach 100 Test wickets, will also be seconded to the franchise squads where they will benefit from his specialist coaching skills.

The official webite of Zimbabwean cricket has also got the same news:
http://www.zimcricket.org/down_sub.php? ... w&link=582