Star Olonga to present youth awards (From Swindon Advertiser)

Star Olonga to present youth awards

7:00am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Cricket

FORMER Zimbabwe Test cricketer Henry Olonga will be in Swindon on Friday to present awards in his name to a number of young cricket stars from clubs within the area.

The 35-year-old will present the Henry Olonga Cricket Awards to cricketers from Swindon, Wootton Bassett, Nalgo, Purton, Shrivenham, and Cricklade clubs, along with Lydiard Academy (Greendown).

Earlier this month, Olonga also presented Swindon United Churches’ club awards during their end-of-season dinner, including the Surridge Wiltshire County League Division Three winners’ trophy.

Present at the dinner was Francis Sheppard, former Wilts League chairman, who congratulated the club on their progress from Division 10, where they joined during his term of office back in 1990.

For the first time in the club’s history a triple century award was made for club captain Chris Gilchrest’s three 100s – including a double 100 against Chippenham 3rds.

Sadly Gilchrist, who scored 808 runs for the club over the season, went down with a stomach bug the day before and his awards were collected for him.

Other batting awards went to Jimmy Mann for 554 Wiltshire League runs and bowling awards to Richard Martin for a tally of 38 wickets and Alan Boivin for a bowling average of 7.95.

Olonga, who took record-breaking bowling figures of six for 19 against Nasser Hussain’s England side in 2003, was also guest speaker at the dinner and he talked of his upbringing in his home country.

He made a dramatic entry to Test cricket at 18 – just two months after completing his A-levels.

After problems with injury and some initial irregularities in his bowling action, he was helped by Dennis Lillee and Joel Garner to rehabilitate and was considered at his peak amongst the quickest bowlers in Test cricket at the time – taking 126 wickets in Tests and one-day internationals.

An Evening with Henry Olonga will be staged for the town by Swindon United Churches Cricket Club at the Trinity Centre, Westlea - next door to the Bible Society Building close to Mannington Roundabout, on December 2.

Tickets are available at £5.50 in advance and £6.50 on the door.