Streak stands down as captain

Heath Streak: stepping down © Getty Images

Heath Streak has resigned as Zimbabwe's captain. Streak made a series of demands to the Zimbabwean Cricket Union, threatening to quit the game altogether if they were not met: but the ZCU called his bluff, and he has been replaced by Tatenda Taibu with immediate effect.

According to the ZCU, Streak presented their board of directors with an ultimatum during their quarterly meeting. His demands included the immediate review of the selection panel, to leave a maximum of four selectors who would not be directors or commentators and who should have played first-class or Test cricket.

Streak apparently said he had no confidence in the teams being selected, and added that he was under stress as he was doubling up as the players' representative, and the players were continuously raising grievances to him. Streak had earlier said that he was not happy with the management of the team, or with Geoff Marsh, the coach, saying that he had misrepresented him to the selectors.

But the acrimony between Streak and the ZCU became apparant when the ZCU issued a statement claiming that Streak had been sacked and that he had retired "from all forms of cricket". This was denied by Streak. "I don't want to say anything until matters have been cleared," he said. "Things aren't exactly as they have come out. What has happened so far is not my wish."

Streak, who is still only 30, has played 59 Tests and 183 one-dayers. He has had two stints as Zimbabwe's captain but, despite the odd success, he was unable to change their fortunes. If indeed he has played his last game for Zimbabwe he will follow other big names, such as Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell and Henry Olonga, out of international cricket.

Streak recently signed as one of Warwickshire's overseas players for the coming county season. It may be that he will be available to play rather more often at Edgbaston than he originally expected.

Taibu, the diminutive wicketkeeper, had been Streak's vice-captain in recent series. He will take charge for Zimbabwe's home series against Sri Lanka in two weeks' time, when he will become their first black Test captain. He is not 21 until May 14, and so also stands to become the youngest Test captain of all - the record is currently held by Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who was 21 years 77 days old when he first captained India, in 1961-62.