81 All Out - A Cricket Podcast

‘There are things more important than taking wickets and scoring runs’ - Henry Olonga interview

Listen Later

We talk to the former Zimbabwe fast bowler - and the first black cricketer to represent his country - Henry Olonga.

We focus on the book that Olonga published in 2010 - Blood, Sweat, and Treason - and revisit the highs and lows of his career. We also look back on Olonga's and Andy Flower's iconic black armband protest at the 2003 World Cup, and how it would change his life forever.


Talking Points:

  • Growing up in Zimbabwe in the 1980s - and recognizing his cricketing potential
  • A bittersweet Test debut against Pakistan- when he was called for chucking
  • The purple patch - beating India and Pakistan in Test series, and shining in the 1999 World Cup
  • The tumultuous early 2000s - within the team and for the country as a whole
  • The racial tension  in the backdrop of unrest over Zimbabwe's land reforms
  • The push for 'targets' to have more black players and administrators
  • The political build-up to the 2003 World Cup - and the decision to speak out
  • How Olonga's life turned upside down in a matter of a few weeks
  • The divine intervention in the Zimbabwe v Pakistan league match in Bulawayo
  • Escaping to England thanks to some generous benefactors
  • Writing the book - and ruminating on the value of speaking one's mind


    • Participants:

    Henry Olonga (Twitter: @henryolonga)

    Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Buy The Summer Game by Gideon Haigh (recently republished by 81allout)

    India (hardback) | India (paperback) | India (e-copy)

    Australia (paperback, e-copy)

    USA (hardback, paperback, e-copy)

    UK (hardback, paperback, e-copy)

    Canada (hardback, paperback, e-copy)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Related:

    • Henry Olonga's book: Blood, Sweat and Treason - Amazon
    • Standing up for their principles - Martin Williamson - ESPNcricinfo
    • Andy Flower & Henry Olonga: the 'death of democracy' remembered - BBC
    • Andy Flower, inspiring cricketer – and protestor - Oborne & Heller podcast
    • Sachin super angry on Henry Olonga - YouTube
    • Blind Audition: Henry Olonga - This Is the Moment - The Voice Australia 2019
    • Risk - Janet Rand - Orwell Today
      • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      81 All Out - A Cricket PodcastBy 81 All Out
      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8

      4.8

      53 ratings

      More shows like 81 All Out - A Cricket Podcast

      View all
      Sky Sports Cricket Podcast by Sky Sports

      Sky Sports Cricket Podcast

      102 Listeners

      Stumped by BBC World Service

      Stumped

      39 Listeners

      Cyrus Says by IVM Podcasts

      Cyrus Says

      157 Listeners

      The Unplayable Podcast by cricket.com.au

      The Unplayable Podcast

      22 Listeners

      Following On by talkSPORT

      Following On

      35 Listeners

      The Final Word Cricket Podcast by Adam Collins, Geoff Lemon

      The Final Word Cricket Podcast

      96 Listeners

      Wisden Cricket Weekly by Wisden Cricket Weekly

      Wisden Cricket Weekly

      56 Listeners

      The Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast by Edges & Sledges

      The Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast

      51 Listeners

      The Cricket Podcast by The Cricket Podcast

      The Cricket Podcast

      53 Listeners

      In Focus by The Hindu by The Hindu

      In Focus by The Hindu

      36 Listeners

      Good Areas Podcast by Jarrod Kimber

      Good Areas Podcast

      53 Listeners

      Bits and Pieces : The friendliest cricket podcast by LLLC

      Bits and Pieces : The friendliest cricket podcast

      7 Listeners

      Batta Fast by Ahmer Naqvi and Osman Samiuddin

      Batta Fast

      8 Listeners

      Cricket Et Al by Cricket Et Al

      Cricket Et Al

      12 Listeners

      Two by Two by The Ken

      Two by Two

      4 Listeners