Streak ‘demise’ a lesson for all

Zimbabwe's legendary cricketer Heath Streak made a trip to "the other side" and back on Wednesday, thanks to the powerful tool that is social media.

The world of cricket mourned the news of Streak's "demise", and was then left bewildered when such a sensitive issue turned out to be a hoax -- all in a span of just a few hours.

News of the demise of Streak, 49, spread like wildfire on Wednesday morning with many renowned media houses around the globe running the news by referencing social media posts of Streak's close associates.

Although the first official source that made the announcement of Streak's demise remains unknown, a post by his former national teammate Henry Olonga is what seemingly triggered the hoax as even Reuters referenced Olonga in this matter.

"Sad news coming through that Heath Streak has crossed to the other side. RIP Zimbabwe cricket legend. The greatest all-rounder we produced. It was a pleasure playing with you," Olonga wrote on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Olonga was soon joined by former Zimbabwe skipper Sean Williams in paying his tributes to Streak.

"Streaky! No words can explain what you and your family have done for mine and many others. Our hearts are broken you leave behind a beautiful family and a legacy for us to live up to! You will be missed we love you dearly. Rest in peace, Streaky," read Williams' message on X.

The posts by Williams and Olonga are no longer available on X.

About two hours after his initial post, Olonga clarified in his next post that Streak, in fact, is "very much alive" but the damage had already been done by that time.

Understandably, Streak, undergoing treatment for liver cancer, and his family were taken aback by what they heard and saw, demanding an apology from the source for the unverified news.

"It is a total rumour and a lie. I'm alive and well. I am very upset to learn that something as big as someone apparently passing can be spread unverified especially in our day and age of social media, I believe the source should apologise. I am hurt by the news," Streak told Mid-Day in his first official reaction to the news.

Streak may not get the "apology" for what transpired yesterday but it surely is time for the world to take note and wield the powerful tool in a more responsible way.