Former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga gets Australian citizenship

Exiled legendary Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga has acquired Australian citizenship, the former right hand fast bowler confirmed on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

Olonga last played international cricket in 2003 when him and his former team mate Andy Flower wore ‘famous’ black armbands protesting against the late president Robert Mugabe’s regime.

He was charged with treason, leading to a premature retirement from international cricket.

He fled the country in 2003 and lived in exile in Britain for 12 years.

It was before he relocated to Australia where he is currently staying with his Australian wife Tara Read and their two daughters in Adelaide.

Posting on his Facebook page, Olonga revealed he had obtained Australian citizenship having applied in 2022.

“As you guys know I don’t like to post unnecessarily. But the last few days saw a few milestones. Firstly I took part in the South Australian state Athletics champs Sunday and won a gold in the over 35s shot putt – (I was the only entrant LOL) and silver in Javelin just losing to a 35-year-old.

“On Monday I became a fully fledged Australian. As a Brit, I am now truly confused who to support in the Ashes now. Well, perhaps the winning side.”

In an interview with PTI in November 2022, Olonga said: “My wife is an Australian citizen and I have applied for Australian citizen too. Hope to get it sometime soon. Once I qualify you will never know, you might see me on athletics tracks Throwing Javelin.”

Olonga played 80 international games for the Chevrons, 30 Tests (68 wickets) and 50 ODI’s (58 wickets).

Over a decade after he quit cricket, the multi talented Olonga has worked as a cricket commentator and musician.

So far he has released two albums namely; Aurellia in 2006 and Our Zimbabwe (2001 remastered) in 2018.