Heath Streak, the former Zimbabwean cricketer, has vehemently denied reports of his demise, asserting that he is alive and well. Expressing deep disappointment and hurt, he expressed his dismay at the rapid dissemination of false news about his passing and demanded an apology from the source responsible. Streak, known for his cricketing career spanning 65 Tests and 189 ODIs, is currently undergoing treatment for liver cancer. The distressing episode unfolded when Streak and his family were taken aback by the false news, underscoring the gravity of spreading unverified and unauthenticated information, particularly regarding someone’s death, in today’s era of widespread social media usage.
“I want to clarify that these rumors are entirely baseless. I am alive and in good health. It’s disheartening to witness the spread of such a significant piece of unverified news, especially in this age of social media. The source should take responsibility and apologize. I am deeply affected by this news,” Streak, 49, conveyed in his first official response to the incident.
Reports of Streak’s deteriorating health had initially emerged in March, but since then, no updates have surfaced. However, the situation spiraled on Wednesday when false news took the internet by storm. Although the source of the rumor remains unclear, a post by Sean Williams, captain of the Zimbabwe cricket team, seems to have triggered the hoax. Williams’ post on X read: “Streaky! Words can’t describe the impact you and your family have had on mine and many others. Our hearts ache. You leave behind a beautiful family and a legacy for us to uphold! We’ll miss you dearly. Rest in peace, Streaky.”
Henry Olonga, former Zimbabwean fast bowler and Streak’s teammate joined Williams in paying tribute. A few hours later, Olonga shared a WhatsApp screenshot claiming to be a conversation with Streak, confirming the ex-captain’s survival. Expressing his disappointment, Streak emphasized that while he is still battling cancer, he has made significant progress. He directed a message to the media, urging them to exercise greater responsibility in disseminating news. “People should exercise caution before spreading such rumors.
I am making strides in my recovery from cancer. Although the treatment has its challenges, I’m doing much better overall. Suddenly, I was informed that news of my death was circulating due to a social media share. However, that information was completely false. I’m in recovery and improving,” Streak clarified. Streak’s illustrious cricketing journey includes representing Zimbabwe in 65 Tests and 189 ODIs, amassing 4933 runs and claiming 455 wickets across formats. He remains the sole player from Zimbabwe to achieve the milestone of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests and 2000 runs and 200 wickets in ODIs. His records continue to inspire cricketers globally, making an enduring impact on the sport.
Sunil Yash Kalra is a Women’s Cricket Historian and founder of Indian Sports Fans.