Zimbabwe cricket star Henry Olonga coming to Wisbech

A HISTORY-MAKING former Zimbabwe international cricketer who was forced to retire after staging a public protest against the Zimbabwean Government is coming to Wisbech. Henry Olonga, the first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe and the youngest player

A HISTORY-MAKING former Zimbabwe international cricketer who was forced to retire after staging a public protest against the Zimbabwean Government is coming to Wisbech.

Henry Olonga, the first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe and the youngest player to represent the country at the age of 18 years and 212 days in 1995, will appear at the Angles Theatre on March 7.

The event, entitled An Evening With Henry Olonga will allow members of the audience to ask questions and hear stories about Olonga's life and career.

The former fast bowler, who holds the record for the best bowling figures in a one-day international by a Zimbabwean, with 6/19 against England at Cape Town, is now pursuing a career in music as a tenor and he will perform some of his songs on the night.

The former fast bowler was forced to retire from international cricket and temporarily go into hiding after the Zimbabwean Government issued a warrant for his arrest on the charge of treason, a crime which carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe.

Olonga and team-mate Andy Flower had worn black armbands in a 2003 Cricket World Cup match to protest against the policies of Robert Mugabe's regime.

The former fast bowler played 30 test matches for Zimbabwe and took 68 wickets with a bowling average of 38.52.

Olonga was in Fenland last week when he appeared as the guest speaker at March Town Cricket Club's annual dinner last Friday

Tickets for An Evening With Henry Olonga are now available at �7.50 a �5 for concessions, by calling 01945 4744467.

CDs will be on sale at the event, which is being hosted by The King's Church, Wisbech.