VIDEO: I don’t wish to coach anywhere but in Zimbabwe – Streak as fallout escalates

Former Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak has issued a statement posted on David Coltart’s Twitter account.

Newly appointed Zimbabwe head coach Heath Streak (left) with ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani at the unveiling event in Bulawayo — Former Zimbabwe head coach Heath Streak (left) with ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani at the unveiling event in Bulawayo

Delivered entirely in isiNdebele he says (which we translate):

As we go forward, let’s see what people say. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you what is going on. Let’s unite to move Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) forward. I love our country. I want to live here. It is not my wish to coach in other countries. Sure, I will be getting paid, but I want to be at home. Zimbabwe is home and I want to be with people who want to move the game forward.

Yep

Heath Streak has issued a statement regarding the Chairman if #Zimbabwe #Cricket allegations that he was racially motivated. Here it is. Please share far and wide. pic.twitter.com/ysJKRXK3Ls
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) April 8, 2018

Coltart is pushing for the board to be dissolved over its decision to demand the resignations of Streak and 12 other members of various technical teams. Some of them have handed resignations in while others were fired after failing to meet the ultimatum.

The row between the ZC board and Streak has escalated since the latter was fired together with his technical team after failing to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, in a 10 team tournament hosted by Zimbabwe in March.

The ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukhuhlani has come out guns blazing saying the former Zimbabwe captain had been fired because of decisions particularly in the match against UAE. Mukuhlani went as far as to imply that there was racism involved claiming black players were not informed they were not going to be playing until warm-up while white players were told the night before.

Streak denies the allegations stating that in a previous match he had dropped a white player in Kyle Jarvis in favour of a black player. His wife, Nadine, in a social media post, pointed to the fact that they have an adopted black child as reason to show there was no racism.

The row has escalated to a point where Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has waded into it. Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kazembe Kazembe has said he will meet the board on Wednesday before making a decision o the matter.

The Sports and Recreation Commission has asked for the board to explain why it fired coaches adding that an attempt to remove the board by a grouping which has roped in Mliswa would have to prove its standing was illegitimate adding they had no powers to remove the board.

Streak’s clashes with the board when parting are not new however. In 2004 when he was dismissed as captain he was quoted in calling for all countries to stop playing Zimbabwe. In 2013, there were also ugly scenes after he left (or was let go depending on who you believe) as bowling coach. After that he had a successful stint as bowling coach for Bangladesh where he is credited with nurturing world class quicks. He has also done very well in the prestigious Indian Premier League and at the moment is coaching the Kolkata Knight Riders.

But as he said, it is to Zimbabwe that he is pledged.

The question is, whichever way the fallout goes, will the game finally ever truly move forward? With that USD19 million debt left by previous boards, can it move forward?