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FORMER Chevrons captain Heath Streak insists he has not applied for the Zimbabwe national cricket team’s head coach post despite growing speculation that he will land the job.
Zimbabwe Cricket is in search of a head coach after sacking Dave Whatmore in May, and several names – including Streak’s – have been mentioned.
But the former national skipper says he is not interested in the job.
“You have caught me at a time I am doing my fishing,” said Streak when contacted by The Sunday Mail Sport last week. “But if you have to know, I haven’t applied for the job.”
Streak (42) was Zimbabwe’s bowling coach between 2009-13 before taking the same role with the Bangladesh national side after ZC did not renew his contract.
He left Bangladesh in May and has a contract with Indian Premier League side Gujarat Lions.
Initially ZC wanted South African Gary Kirsten as head coach but the former Proteas and India coach was not interested.
Amongst other ZC targets were former batting coach Grant Flower, who is now employed by the Pakistan Cricket Board after Zimbabwe Cricket also did not renew his contract in 2013.
Grant’s sibling Andy, as well as India legend Rahul Dravid, have also been spoken of, as has been incumbent batting coach Lance Klusener of South Africa.
The local cricket governing board set September 9 as the deadline for applications, and they have been mum on how the process is going.
“I am sorry we are not at liberty to divulge who has applied so far. As for the kind of coach ZC is looking for, our advert for the post clearly spells out the qualities,” said ZC in a response to questions from this newspaper.
South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini has been the interim coach since Whatmore’s sacking.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup squad leaves for South Africa on Wednesday for the annual T20 competition and begin their campaign against South African provincial side Free State on Friday before taking on Border and Easterns next weekend.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter