After reporting that they had a conversation, Olonga wrote on X, formerly Twitter: I can confirm that rumors of Heath Streak’s passing have been greatly exaggerated. I have just heard from him. A third referee called him back. He’s very much alive, folks.

Incidentally, it was Olonga who spread the news of Streak’s death on social media.

The sad news is that Heath Streak has switched sides. A legend has died. The greatest all-rounder we’ve nurtured. It was a pleasure playing with you. See you on the other side when my bowling comes to an end, he wrote.

Sad news: Heath Streak has moved on to the other side. The @ZimCricketv legend has passed away. Greatest all-rounder we’ve nurtured. It was a pleasure playing with you. See you on the other side when my bowling game is over… 😔

– Henry Olonga (@henryolonga) August 22, 2023

Streak is being treated by one of the most respected oncologists in South Africa, his family announced in May.

Streak retired from professional cricket in 2005 after scoring 1990 runs at an average of 22.35 and also notched up 216 runs at an average of 28.14 in Test cricket.

In white-ball cricket, Heath scored 2943 runs and recorded 239 wickets.

However, Streak was expelled from the sport in 2021 after he was found to have violated the International Cricket Federation’s anti-corruption rules.