Essex Offer Olonga Chance
By Dave Buxton
March 19 2003
It is reported by BBC Sport that Essex have offered former Zimbabwe quickie Henry Olonga the chance to play for the county this coming season.
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Olonga is planning a future over here in England after retiring from the international scene after Zimbabwe's World Cup elimination on Saturday, as did Essex's overseas player, also Zimbabwean, Andy Flower, who today announced he'd with us for the whole 2003 season.
The paceman wore a black armband (as did Flower) in protest to the political goings-on in his country in their first match against Namibia, but since then has been frozen out by his team.
He only played once more after that and has apparently received death threats and has been advised not to return home.
However, in moving to England, it might not be to play cricket for Essex. He might give up cricket completely and favour for a career in music. Olonga is a keen singer and London based Australian conductor Barington Pheloung offered him a contract to work with him last year.
Like Flower, Henry has quit Zimbabwe and has been very unfairly treated by The ZCU (Zimbabwe Cricket Union). He was sacked from his club and all because he made a very bold protest because he loves his country. A move to England would signal a new start for Olonga and Essex could do well to sign him.
With main strike bowler Ashley Cowan out for the entire season to rest after a career saving knee operation and Mark Ilott having been released at the end of last season, the strike seam bowling options are a little light.
Olonga has genuine pace and although had a poor World Cup in the 2 matches he did play, he clearly had other problems on his mind.
The Zimbabwean would qualify as an English player, because he'd be moving here permanently. Although I believe county cricket shouldn't allow non-qualified British players to play with British passports, Olonga would be a welcomed addition to the Essex squad and a real threat to opposing batsman beign a former Test player, as opposed to the other non-qualified British players.
He's a wicket-taker and can and has won matches for his country, even though his record of 68 Test wickets at 38.52 isn't world class stats. Not only that, but his enthusiasm around Chelmsford would be excellent and knowing Andy Flower well, he would settle in quickly and he's a real team man.
It looks likely that Olonga will turn to music though, but Essex might well persuade him in the next few days and weeks to reconsider.
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Date: 17/3/03