Cricketer bowls villagers over - Westmorland Gazette

[This article first appeared in the Westmorland Gazette, Kendal - www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk - 24/10/08] 

By Natalie Stewart

 

A WORLD test cricketer who risked his life for the "death of democracy" came to South Lakeland last week to talk about his life, his faith and his career.

Zimbabwean fast bowler, Henry Olonga, visited the Cross Keys Hotel, Milnthorpe, last Friday (October 17), before heading to St Peter's Church, Heversham, and Ulverston Parish Church on Sunday (October 19).

"It's something that I do quite regularly," said the 32-year-old. "I wanted to come and share my life story and how God is relevant in peoples' life."

He explained that he became a Christian at the age of 16 when he was "searching for significance" in his life: "I didn't buy the story that everything that you see with all its beauty, all its grand design and immense scale just happened by itself for no reason," said Mr Olonga. "I chose to believe in God."

Mr Olonga began playing cricket at the age of eight and, at the age of 16 he realised he had the ability to make a career out of the sport.

Two years later, he made his international debut in a test match where he became both the first black cricketer and the youngest, at the age of 18, to play cricket for Zimbabwe.

However, in 2003, Mr Olonga's life changed when he and his team mate Andy Flower wore a black armband in a Cricket World Cup match to protest against the policies of Zimbabwe's government.

In a statement released at the time, the duo said that they were "mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe" and hoped to "stop the abuse of human rights".

This act caused an end to Mr Olonga's international career and sent him into hiding for a month in South Africa after he received death threats.

It is there that he decided to travel to England: "I had family here and I got invited to play for a cricket club, Lashings," said Mr Olonga, who continues to play for the club.

Mr Olonga proved popular with the audience at the weekend, when he took part in Michael Parkinson-style interviews followed by audience questions and he also sang a few songs - another of his talents.

"I've done singing since high school," he said. "I took part in various plays and had leading roles so it's not anything new to me."

Mr Olonga sold all 3,000 copies of his 2006 album, ‘Aurelia' and plans to release another album next year.

"Singing could have been a career for me but I got picked to play cricket for my country," he said. "I always knew I could pick (singing) up again, where as in sport you can't. You have to play in your prime."

Peter Taylor, a member of the congregation at St Peter's Church, Heversham, helped to organise Mr Olonga's visit.

"As a church we want to reach out to the community and reach out to people who maybe have little connection with the church," said Mr Taylor. "People don't come to church as much as they used to as maybe 30 or 40 years ago. To invite somebody like Henry who has street-cred, if you like, and is well known as an international cricketer and with real Christian faith is very much an interesting story."

He added: "Everybody who came was very impressed with Henry, his dignity, sincerity, and integrity. It was a very successful weekend. We're hoping that this is the first visitor of many to follow."

 

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