Streak a shining example of calm amid the chaos

It was impossible not to feel extremely sorry for the Zimbabwe captain, Heath Streak. He has bowled his heart out for his country in this one-day series and reserved his best performance to make sure that Zimbabwe were not completely obliterated by England at the County Ground. He took four wickets in three overs without conceding a run after Zimbabwe had been bowled out for 92.

They were always going to be the underdogs for this competition. A number of their best cricketers have left Zimbabwe's colours in the last year or two. Murray Goodwin has gone to Western Australia and Sussex, Craig Wishart played in the recent World Cup, but was not selected for this series, and Neil Johnson, like Goodwin, has gone to greener pastures.

Then, of course, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga have fled the country after wearing those black armbands during the World Cup in protest at the political situation in their country. The side has been severely weakened and the prime job of those left is to make sure that the game is preserved in Zimbabwe until such time as life becomes easier and cricket can stretch out again to the whole population.

This is a big responsibility for the 29-year-old Streak who comes from a farming family who have not had an easy time of it. Yet it is abundantly clear from talking to Streak and from watching him play cricket that he is a fierce patriot.

He also is one of those uncomplicated cricketers who gives his all in whatever capacity he is called upon. He captains the side well and, for a fast bowler, is the calmest of men. Just after he had taken these four wickets at Bristol, a sharp throw from Ray Price at mid-on just missed the stumps and went away for four overthrows. There was not a flicker of outward annoyance or recrimination from Streak, who just strode back to his mark to bowl the next ball.

While Andy Blignaut bowls the odd ball at over 90mph, Streak clocks in somewhere in the mid to upper eighties. His control is excellent as he continually attacks the batsman on and just outside the off stump and at times he can find disconcerting outswing. His performance in Bristol on behalf of a lost cause was magnificent and he deserved better support from his colleagues, but with Streak to set the example, cricket will be in no danger of disappearing in Zimbabwe.