Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak banned for 8 years for breaching ICC anti-corruption code

One of Zimbabwe's greatest bowlers, Heath Streak has been banned for 8 years by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he accepted five charges of breaching its Anti-Corruption Code. Heath Streak was charged during his tenure as the coach of the Zimbabwe national team between 2016 and 2018 and various other domestic teams, including T20 leagues.

Some of the charges that Heath Streak faced included disclosing inside information during a tri-series in 2018 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the same year. He was also charged for directly or indirectly persuading players to engage in corrupt practices and failure to report corrupt approaches among others. Streak had initially contested the charges but the former Zimbabwe captain accepted them.

"Streak chose to admit the charges and agreed to the sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. He will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 March 2029," an ICC release said on Wednesday.

Heath Streak was one of the most successful all-rounders to have played the sport from Zimbabwe. The right-hander played 65 Tests, 189 ODIs for Zimbabwe from 1993 to 2005. He scored 1990 Test and 2943 ODI runs and picked up 216 Test and 239 ODI wickets.

'Streak expressed his remorse after accepting sanctions'

The ICC also said Streak's acts did not affect the outcome of any particular match he was involved in during the said period.

"Heath Streak is an experienced former international cricketer and national team coach, who had participated in numerous anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code," Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager of Integrity Unit said.

“As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game. He breached the Code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.

“The offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches and Mr Streak has agreed to assist the ICC anti-corruption education programme for which we are grateful. He has also expressed his remorse and contrition and entered this agreed sanction decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process," he added.

Details of Heath Streak's breaches of ICC Anti-Corruption Code

1. 2.3.2 disclosing inside information under both the ICC Code and various domestic Codes, in circumstances where he knew or should have known that such information may be used for betting purposes. In particular, he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 Tri-Series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe v Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018.
2. 2.3.3 directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach the Code. In particular, he facilitated or attempted to facilitate the introduction of four different players, including a national captain, to someone he knew, or should have known, may have wanted to approach them to provide inside information for betting purposes.
3. 2.4.2 Failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code or that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.
4. 2.4.4 - Failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to international matches, matches in the 2017 BPL, the 2018 Pakistan Super League, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.
5. Article 2.4.7 obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and / or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.