Kudla Boys to Challenge Zimbabwe Boys in Heath Streak Cricket Tourney Under 15 at Sahyadri College
Mangaluru: It looks like Zimbabwean cricket legend and former Captain Heath Streak likes to visit Mangaluru, because last year on 4 April 2108, “He Came, He saw, He conquered…the hearts of Team Players of Karavali Cricket Academy, and also other cricket enthusiasts who had gathered at the University college-Mangaluru sports ground to have close encounters with one of the Former World’s Fastest Bowler in Cricket history”. And this time, He is back again with his young cricket team boys to play against two under 15 Cricket Teams from Mangaluru, namely Mangaluru Sports Club; and Mangaluru Occasional’s, which will be played at Sahyadri College Ground, from 12-14 April.
This afternoon, ( 11 April) Heath Streak joined by Mangalorean origin Joseph Rego, who is Streak’s longtime friend and who is the country’s most celebrated International Cricket Consultant and a widely known figure in the global cricketing fraternity and also the CEO & Executive Director of the Heath Streak Multi-Sports Institutions in Zimbabwe, arrived at Hotel Moti Mahal, Mangaluru from the airport. At the hotel they were along with the young cricket team boys were welcomed in a traditional Indian style by the hotel front desk staff, and were later cooled off from the treacherous summer heat by offering them the “Uruda Bonda”(local grown tender coconuts).
During the press meet held the Hotel banquet hall, Joseph Rego addressing the media persons said, “It feels great to be back to my hometown, Mangaluru, and this time not only with cricket legend Heath Streak but also the Under 15 Zimbabwe Cricket team of the Heath Streak International Cricket Trust. The Zimbabwe team will face the young cricketers of two teams during the three-day match to be played at Sahyadri College ground, which will be a 30 over match. I am happy to note that young cricketers of Mangaluru will get a chance to interact with cricketers from an African country. The young boys of the Zimbabwe team are all filled with enthusiasm to be here, and play the matches with the local teams”.
Also speaking on the occasion, Heath Streak said, ” I love coming back to India, because of the kind hospitality, and the people here being friendly and courteous, and I am sure that during my next few days in this coastal town, along with my buddy Joseph Rego who originates from Mangaluru, I will cherish fond memories of this picturesque city. I will be also looking forward to watch the excitement between the Mangaluru cricket teams facing our young Zimbabwe boys. I bet that will be a great cricket match to watch. Thanks once again for the kind welcome and generous hospitality. “
On the dais during the press meet were- Clody Lobo- Sales Manager of Hotel Moti Mahal, Samuel Jayraj Mathu- Assistant Secretary of the Heath Streak Cricket Trust, Girish H -coach of the Team from Bengaluru, Gavin Ewing- former opening batsman of Zimbabwe team and head coach of the Under 15 Zimbabwe team, and Daniel Erasmus- the Captain of the under 15 Zimbabwe team.
The Zimbabwe team comprises of Daniel Erasmus (Captain), Harry Streak, Matthew Schonken, Connor Grant, Chase Smyth, Daniel Henwood, Russell Foster, Huggins Machaka, Dylan Nzvenga, Mukumba Blessing, Tendekai Mataranyika, Gregory Pechey, Devon Gover, Matthew Rust, Liam Potgeiter, Codie Marillier and Ross Mills.
The team is also joined by Miss Ntombikayasi Khumalo, the PA to CEO Joseph Rego. Other persons from Zimbabwe who have escorted the cricket team are- Mr & Ms George Potgeiter, Doug Henwood, Jason Rust, Ms Tammy and Miss Lauren Rust, Craig Grant, Roddy Smyth, Philip Mataranyika, and Mr/Ms Julian Schonken. Hotel Moti Mahal is the Official Hospitality Sponsor/Partner, among other sponsors.
A farewell dinner is planned on 15 April for the team members and sponsors/others at the Beach House of Peter & Paul Mascarenhas near Sasihithlu Beach. The Zimbabwe young boys on their first day at Hotel Moti Mahal were seen already having fun, splashing in the hotel swimming pool with fun and frolic. The Zimbabwe group also interacted with Jinraj Shetty-the General Manager of Hotel Moti Mahal and other executive hotel staff.
ABOUT ZIMBABWEAN CRICKETER HEATH STREAK:
Heath Hilton Streak (born 16 March 1974) is a former Zimbabwean cricketer, and a former Test and ODI captain. By his statistical record, he is the best bowler to have played for Zimbabwe. He is the only Zimbabwean bowler to have taken over 100 Test wickets and one of only 4 Zimbabwean bowlers to have taken over 100 ODI wickets (the others being Grant Flower, Prosper Utseya & Ray Price). He is currently the head coach of Zimbabwe national cricket team and the bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
A lion-hearted fast bowler with immense stamina and strength, Heath Streak had the ability to bowl outswing at a good pace and with excellent control and ranked among the top three bowlers in the world during his era back in the 90s and early 2000. He was the first Zimbabwean to reach 100 test wickets. Streak was also an extremely capable batsman who loved to give the ball a whack over the infield, and a magnificent outfielder with a howitzer-like throw. Streak is currently ranked as one of the best cricket coaches in the world.
In 1995/96, Streak played in the same Matabeleland team as his 46-year-old father Denis in the final of the Lonrho Logan Cup against Mashonaland Country Districts; this was the first instance of a father and son playing in the same first-class match for more than thirty years. On 25 April 2007, Streak resigned as Warwickshire captain, saying captaining the side was affecting his on-field abilities. He was replaced as captain by Darren Maddy. At the end of the 2007 season, he left Warwickshire citing family reasons.
At the end of the year of 2007, he joined the Ahmedabad Rockets in the Indian Cricket League. He played two seasons in the ICL along with appearing in the Hong Kong Sixes. In 2009, he cut his ties with ICL, and in that August was appointed as the bowling coach of Zimbabwean national team. He was also given the responsibility of working with the young Zimbabwean fast bowlers and for franchise cricket.
Streak made his Test debut in Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan 1993/1994 making his mark by taking 8 wickets in the 2nd Test at Rawalpindi ( 9–14 December 1993). In the match, Streak won the Player of the series award, took 22 wickets at an average of 13.54. He bettered his best bowling figures in 1995 when Pakistan toured Zimbabwe taking 6/90 in the first Test at Harare. In 2000/2001, he won 2-man of the series awards, first in Zimbabwe’s tour of England and then in Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe. He along with Andy Flower set the record for the highest 7th wicket partnership for Zimbabwe in ODIs(130)
Streak retired from international cricket in October 2005 to become captain of Warwickshire County Cricket Club having previously played county cricket for Hampshire. He also captains his fellow exiled players from Zimbabwe in the Red Lions team, which plays charity games in England. In August 2009, was appointed as the bowling coach of Zimbabwean cricket national team. He was also given the responsibility of working with the young Zimbabwean fast bowlers and for franchise cricket.
Later it also appeared that Heath Streak is the most possible candidate for the head coach job of Zimbabwean national team when the contract of Walter Chwaguta ends. It is believed that Walter Chwaguta will be Streak’s assistant coach. In 2010 along with his former teammate Grant Flower, he joined as supporting coach of Zimbabwe under former English cricketer Alan Butcher. Flower became batting coach and Streak was named as bowling coach.
In 2013, Streak contract was not renewed for financial reasons. Zimbabwe Cricket had offered Streak a consultancy role but they cannot guarantee him a set number of working days or specific pay which has forced him to stay out of the preparations for Bangladesh series. Finances permitting at his franchise in Bulawayo, the MatabelelandTuskers, he remained coach there. He was appointed Bangladesh’s bowling coach in May 2014 until 2016. In October 2016, he was appointed Head Coach of the Zimbabwe cricket team. Streak has been tasked with ensuring Zimbabwe qualify for the 2019 World Cup and will be allowed to continue in his role as bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
