Haunted Olonga decides to leave and live

Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday after his team’s final match in the W...

Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday after his team’s final match in the World Cup. Olonga, 26, was omitted from the Zimbabwe team for the final Super Six match against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe, already eliminated from the tournament, lost by 74 runs.

In a statement Olonga said his decision had been a matter of personal conviction and added he believed it might be dangerous for him to return to Zimbabwe in the current political climate.

He also said he did not want to be seen to condone what he said were human rights abuses in his country by continuing to play cricket for the national side.

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Olonga and teammate Andy Flower made international headlines when they took to the field wearing black armbands ‘‘to mourn the death of democracy’’ in Zimbabwe for their first match of the World Cup in Harare.

‘‘It is with great sadness that I am officially announcing my retirement from international cricket,’’ Olonga said. ‘‘My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable.

‘‘The stand I took earlier in the World Cup has undoubtedly had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life. I have received threatening e-mails which, I believe, make it dangerous for me to return to Zimbabwe.

‘‘I was never under the illusion that my stand would have no consequences but I believe that one should have the courage of one’s convictions in life and do all one can to uphold them.

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‘‘I believe that if I were to continue to play for Zimbabwe in the midst of the prevailing crisis I would do so only by neglecting the voice of my conscience.’’ (Reuters)