Mangalore: Umpires review system good for game, says Heath Streak

DHNS

Mangalore, 29 April 2012: Weariness of 15-hour long journey had not really deterred the former Zimbabwean Captain Heath Hilton Streak while he spoke with press.

 

The lion-hearted man who possessed immense strength and stamina during his international career, faced the questions from the media with the same spirit he had years back when he was active in the field. The Zimbabwean, who virtually led one-man attack on the opposition many a time during his pinnacle in International cricket was so fresh looking and eager to answer the yorkers bowled against him by the media.

 

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines, Streak, who is also the Zimbabwe National team bowling coach, said that the current Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will help the game. “All like to have a game without controversial decisions. As far as international cricket is concerned, UDRS is a must. When the technology is available, we have to use it in full amount. At the end of the day, we all want the right decisions,” he said.

 

Speaking about the internal conflicts in the Zimbabwe Cricket Union which led the white players to quit the team, he said that the current team is talented and are in the process of overcoming the shadow of past. ICC suspended the team from the test status until recently because of the bad form of the team after the talented players quit. Streak was criticised for not taking a firm political stand on the issue. “Now the team is showing up good cricket. We won test match against Bangladesh and also won few one dayers. We lost a test match against New Zealand for just 20 odd runs. So these all show that the team is improving day by day,” he said.

 

Former Warwickshire County Team captain also said that Sachin Tendulkar is the toughest batsman he has ever faced. “I think Sachin is seeing each and every ball I bowl as a soccer ball and hit like that!” H e said that Mathew Hayden and Brian Lara are the other two batsmen, who ‘troubled’ him.

 

On a question regarding Sachin Tendulkar being nominated to Rajya Sabha, he said “Sachin is very much successful in all the areas he puts his hand. I am sure that in politics too, he will do the same”.

 

About the clash against Karnataka Indians, he said that team is taking the match seriously. “The plan is to play the maximum, so that the crowd will have a long time to watch the match,” he said.