Henry Olonga

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Zimbabwean
country = Zimbabwe
country abbrev = Zim
name = Henry Olonga
batting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm fast
balls = true
tests = 30
test runs = 184
test bat avg = 5.41
test 100s/50s = 0/0
test top score = 24
test overs = 4502
test wickets = 68
test bowl avg = 38.52
test 5s = 2
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 5/70
test catches/stumpings = 10/-
ODIs = 50
ODI runs = 95
ODI bat avg = 7.30
ODI 100s/50s = 0/0
ODI top score = 31
ODI overs = 2059
ODI wickets = 58
ODI bowl avg = 34.08
ODI 5s = 2
ODI 10s = 0
ODI best bowling = 6/19
ODI catches/stumpings = 13/-
date = 11 February
year = 2006
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/55675.html Cricinfo

Henry Khaaba Olonga (born 3 July, 1976 in Lusaka, Zambia) was a cricketer for Zimbabwe. He made his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan at Harare in 1995, at age 18 years, 212 days, becoming the youngest player to represent Zimbabwe. He helped Zimbabwe to its first ever Test victory in that game. That year, he was no-balled for throwing in a Test match, and rebuilt his action before returning to cricket. A right arm fast bowler, Olonga was the first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe and is the third Zambian-born Test cricketer after Phil Edmonds and Neal Radford of England.

Olonga achieved international recognition (along with team mate Andy Flower) in 2003 by wearing a black armband in a Cricket World Cup match to protest against the policies of Zimbabwe's government, led by Robert Mugabe. He and Flower released a statement on 10 February, stating in part:

This act led to a warrant issued in Zimbabwe for Olonga's arrest on charges of treason (which carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe) and forced him to retire from international cricket and temporarily go into hiding.

Olonga played 30 Test matches for Zimbabwe, taking 68 wickets with a bowling average of 38.52, and 50 One Day Internationals, taking 58 wickets at an average of 34.08. He holds the record for the best bowling in a one-day international by a Zimbabwean, with figures of 6/19 against England at Cape Town in 2000.

He met physical education teacher Tara Read, while both were attending the Australian Institute of Sport's cricket program in Adelaide. The couple married in 2004 [ [http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/olongawed.11701.html Exiled cricketer Olonga weds in Australia ] ] .

On Friday 13th October 2006, Olonga won "Five's" "The All Star Talent Show" with 50% of the overall votes.

Olonga is now pursuing a career as a cricket commentator and singer and released an album, 'Aurelia' in 2006.

References

External links

* [http://www.henryolonga.net/ Henry Olonga Official Website]
* [http://vijju.net/zimbabwe_death_of_democracy_cricket.aspx Full text of Olonga and Flower's World Cup protest statement]
*cricinfo|ref=ZIM/O/OLONGA_HK_09002181/
* [http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/0/979A4917023A062080256FFE00342F42/$file/War%20Cry%2013%20Mar%202004.pdf Henry Olonga tells Nigel Bovey of "The War Cry" that it was his Christian faith that inspired him to make World Cup protest]
* [http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-issue/9CDC71636D70163E802572970056FB36?opendocument&id=779FCF0EC3A0CC738025729700561B3B Henry Olonga talks cricket, music and Christianity with Nigel Bovey of the Salvation Army newspaper "The War Cry"]