Henry Olonga was born on 3 July 1976 in Lusaka, Zambia. He was principally a right arm fast bowler who was the first black cricketer, and youngest-ever player, to represent Zimbabwe at international level.
He made his first class debut at the age of 17 in the Logan Cup for Matabeleland against Mashonaland, taking 5 wickets. His following season brought mixed results but he was chosen for the Test squad to tour Pakistan in 1994/95. He took a wicket in his first over but was also no-balled for throwing. He went to Dennis Lillee for advice and, having modified his action, the doubts disappeared.
When bowling at full pace he was regarded as Zimbabwe’s fastest bowler. However, he could be inaccurate with a tendency to bowl more no-balls and wides than most.
He made his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan at Harare in 1995 aged 18 years and 212 days and went on to play in 30 Test matches and 50 ODIs, his last game being an ODI, against Kenya in March 2003. It was sad that he was forced out of the game, aged 26, long before he reached his peak.
In Tests his best bowling figures were 5-70 in an innings and 6-89 in a match. In ODIs his best haul was 6-19.
He was chosen for the Zimbabwean World Cup squad in 1995/96 but did not play a match. He was chosen for the last game but asked to be omitted, humbly saying that he was out of practice and did not feel able to give of his best.
From 1998 onwards he was virtually an ever-present in the Zimbabwean team. His ability as a strike bowler was shown on the 1998-99 tour of Pakistan, when he ripped through the experienced Pakistan top order, thus setting up a win in the first Test. He was selected in the squad for the 2003 World Cup but he and Andy Flower made international headlines by wearing a black armband to protest against the “death of democracy” in Zimbabwe. Whilst he was praised for his courage, this act ensured that he played no meaningful part in the rest of the competition. He could not return to his homeland after the tournament, having received disturbing threats. He found, with help from Lashing’s David Folb, a new home in England where he is in demand as a media pundit and commentator.
He is a fine tenor singer who has sung leading roles in productions as diverse as the Gondoliers, Annie Get Your Gun and Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. He has recently completed a contemporary pop album and is likely to produce a classical/pop crossover album in the future.