Heath Streak Accepts ICC's Eight-Year Ban But Refuses To Admit His Involvement In Fixing Matches

Former Zimbabwe captain and fast bowler Heath Streak had to cop an eight-year ban from all cricketing roles from the ICC for breaching the anti-corruption code. The reason for the harsh punishment was his involvement in disclosing inside information in franchise cricket games and international cricket matches. Nevertheless, Heath Streak has admitted he did not have a direct role in fixing matches.

Heath Streak, one of Zimbabwe’s most successful captain and fast bowler, had been under scrutiny for an extensive number of games between 2017 and 2018. After his playing career, the seam-bowling all-rounder had coaching stints in the IPL, BPL, and Afghanistan Premier League (APL). Streak disclosed insider information in the 2018 Zimbabwe-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka tri-series, Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League.

Heath Streak acknowledges he should have been more cautious and hopes his punishment serves as a lesson to others. But he admitted to the fans that he was not involved in match-fixing, spot-fixing, or attempting to tweak the result of any game or reveal information from any changeroom during his coaching stint. The 47-year old stated that the ICC confirmed this particular news in its statement.

“I also want to place on record to the public and fans that I was not involved in any match fixing, spot fixing or attempts to influence a game or share information from a changeroom during a match at any given time in our relationship. This position has been confirmed by the ICC itself in its own statement,” Streak stated as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

I look forward to continuing to contribute to the development of cricket in Zimbabwe: Heath Streak

Heath Streak also wants Zimbabwe cricket not to suffer punishment for his deeds directly or indirectly and is determined to serve his sentence sanctioned by the ICC. The Bulawayo-born former national team’s coach wishes to contribute to Zimbabwe cricket’s development, making amends after returning to the game as the ICC sees right.

“I also hope that cricket in Zimbabwe should not be punished or suffer for my actions directly or indirectly. I commit to serving out my sanction as guided by the ICC and am committed to help them and cricket in Zimbabwe in whatever manner I can. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the development of cricket in Zimbabwe, making amends and returning to the game as and when the ICC sees it fit,” he added.

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