‘There are things more important than taking wickets and scoring runs’ - Henry Olonga interview

81 All Out - A Cricket Podcast

We talk to the former Zimbabwe fast bowler - and the first black cricketer to represent his country - Henry Olonga.

We focus on the book that Olonga published in 2010 - Blood, Sweat, and Treason - and revisit the highs and lows of his career. We also look back on Olonga's and Andy Flower's iconic black armband protest at the 2003 World Cup, and how it would change his life forever.

Talking Points:

• Growing up in Zimbabwe in the 1980s - and recognizing his cricketing potential
• A bittersweet Test debut against Pakistan- when he was called for chucking
• The purple patch - beating India and Pakistan in Test series, and shining in the 1999 World Cup
• The tumultuous early 2000s - within the team and for the country as a whole
• The racial tension in the backdrop of unrest over Zimbabwe's land reforms
• The push for 'targets' to have more black players and administrators
• The political build-up to the 2003 World Cup - and the decision to speak out
• How Olonga's life turned upside down in a matter of a few weeks
• The divine intervention in the Zimbabwe v Pakistan league match in Bulawayo
• Escaping to England thanks to some generous benefactors
• Writing the book - and ruminating on the value of speaking one's mind

Participants:

Henry Olonga (Twitter: @henryolonga)

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

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Buy The Summer Game by Gideon Haigh (recently republished by 81allout)

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Related:

• Henry Olonga's book: Blood, Sweat and Treason - Amazon
• Standing up for their principles - Martin Williamson - ESPNcricinfo
• Andy Flower & Henry Olonga: the 'death of democracy' remembered - BBC
• Andy Flower, inspiring cricketer – and protestor - Oborne & Heller podcast
• Sachin super angry on Henry Olonga - YouTube
• Blind Audition: Henry Olonga - This Is the Moment - The Voice Australia 2019
• Risk - Janet Rand - Orwell Today