Harare – Henry Olonga has mocked the standard of cricket in Zimbabwe, saying one does not need too much talent to make the national team.
The 42-year-old former fast bowler has auditioned for the hit TV show, The Voice, in Australia – 16 years after a protest about the “death of democracy” forced him to flee Zimbabwe and ended his career.
After claiming that he had been a “rubbish cricket player”, one of the judges Guy Sebastian commented: “I don’t think you can be a rubbish cricket player and play for your country.”
“To play for Zimbabwe you can, trust me,” Olonga replied to much laughter from the studio audience.
Olonga’s comments will not sit well with some cricket fans in Zimbabwe. The country has produced top cricket players including Andy Flower, who remains the only cricket player to score a One Day International century on debut in a world cup match. He also holds the record for the highest ever test score posted by a wicket-keeper batsman in an innings of a test – 232 runs.
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| You Can Be Rubbish and Play For Zimbabwe Cricket Team, Henry Olonga Claims! |
During the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Henry and teammate Flower wore black armbands on the field as a protest.
They intended to “mourn the death of democracy” under former President Robert Mugabe.
An intense backlash followed and Henry’s international career fell apart. He was also forced to flee the country due to constant death threats.
He lived in exile in Britain for 12 years, before deciding to move to Australia.
They intended to “mourn the death of democracy” under former President Robert Mugabe.
An intense backlash followed and Henry’s international career fell apart. He was also forced to flee the country due to constant death threats.
He lived in exile in Britain for 12 years, before deciding to move to Australia.
“I had to leave my country after standing up to a dictator,” Olonga told The Voice judges, who included Boy George and Kelly Rowland.
He added: “Cricket took me away from music but I kept singing away, and after retiring 15 years ago I decided to take it up again.”
“The good news is you’re not a rubbish singer, you’re an amazing singer and that was beyond,” Boy George told him.
Now living in Adelaide with his two daughters and wife Tara, Henry is ready to step back into this spotlight – this time as a singer. He hopes that auditioning for The Voice will allow him to chase his dreams.
He added: “Cricket took me away from music but I kept singing away, and after retiring 15 years ago I decided to take it up again.”
“The good news is you’re not a rubbish singer, you’re an amazing singer and that was beyond,” Boy George told him.
Now living in Adelaide with his two daughters and wife Tara, Henry is ready to step back into this spotlight – this time as a singer. He hopes that auditioning for The Voice will allow him to chase his dreams.
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