Streak rules out World Cup comeback

Heath Streak in action for Warwickshire © Getty Images

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has ruled out a return to Zimbabwe colours for next year's World Cup because of to his contractual commitment to Warwickshire, where he is captain.

"I would love to have played another World Cup," he told Zimbabwe's Sunday News. "However, my Warwickshire commitments start in March. I am committed to them and have no intention of jeopardising my future with the club."

Streak did not rule out playing for his country again - when he signed his contract for Warwickshire he indicated that he would be available should he be called on when he was not needed in England. But he was not contacted by Zimbabwe Cricket about his availability.

"At the moment, I have not had any contact from anyone in the ZC asking me to come out of retirement," he explained. "But I am focused on finishing my career as a county player at Warwickshire. I am enjoying my cricket without all the stress that surrounded Zimbabwe cricket the last few years. It does sadden me to see all the young players previously playing for Zimbabwe who are now playing club and county cricket in the UK.

"It is criminal that a player like Tatenda Taibu has not been spoken to try to get him back into the playing arena where he is desperately needed." Last week, Taibu, who played for Pyrford in Surrey during the summer, ruled out a comeback with Zimbabwe and made clear that he believed his future lay in South Africa.

In June, shortly before the Bangladesh one-day series, Kevin Curran, Zimbabwe's coach, visited the UK to try to persuade disaffected players to return to play. Streak said Curran never got in touch with him or other senior players such as Taibu, Ray Price and Gavin Ewing.

A sign of the state of confusion still surrounding the game in Zimbabwe came when Curran admitted to the newspaper that he was unaware that Streak was potentially available and that he would be considered for the tour to Bangladesh at the end of the year.

Streak admitted that he still kept one eye on cricket in Zimbabwe, and while he was clearly pleased with the recent series win over Bangladesh, he added that in his opinion the standard of cricket was not high.