Streak banned for corruption

DUBAI: Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was on Wednesday banned for eight years from all cricket after he accepted five charges of breaching the ICC anti-corruption code, including disclosing inside information to a suspected Indian bookie during his stint as IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders' bowling coach in 2018.

"...he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 Tri-Series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018," a statement from the ICC read.

However, the world body made it clear that his "offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches." One of Zimbabwe's finest fast bowlers, 47-year-old Streak was under investigation for a host of games between 2017 and 2018 when he served as a coach. "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."