September 25 Wednesday 2002
Accident rules Streak out of Pakistan series

COLOMBO: Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test and one-day series with Pakistan after dislocating his left shoulder in a road accident on Monday.

Streak sustained the injury when the three-wheel taxi he was travelling in swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle in central Colombo. The fast bowler, who is Zimbabwe's leading wicket-taker in Tests and One-day Internationals, also suffered concussion and was detained overnight in a Colombo hospital before being released on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe team manager Babu Meman said the injury would sideline Streak for up to 12 weeks, causing him to miss the two Tests and five One-day Internationals against Pakistan that start on November 9.

"Heath's immediate target is a return to the side for the series against Kenya in December and to be completely fit for the World Cup early next year," said Meman. He added that a decision on Steak's replacement as captain for the Pakistan series would be taken in the near future.

The accident took place ahead of the Zimbabwe squad's departure from Colombo after their elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy following defeats against India and England. The Zimbabwe squad, including Streak, will leave Colombo on Wednesday (today).