By Paul Grunill BBC Sport cricket editor

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak is at his best when he lets his cricket do the talking.

Streaky's been the mainstay of the Zimbabwe attack for many years Henry Olonga

And taking his 200th Test wicket speaks volumes for his dedication to his team's collective cause.

Many, like former team-mate Henry Olonga, believe the international cricket community should ostracise the Zimbabwe team as a response to the policies pursued by president Robert Mugabe.

Streak's view is that would be unfair to his team and have potentially devastating consequences for the future of the game in his country.

It was only last weekend that one English newspaper columnist suggested Streak lacked credibility for suggesting conditions were "far more settled" in Zimbabwe.

"It would be unfair to say Streak was telling an outright lie. But he has bowled a huge wide at the facts," Kevin Mitchell wrote in the Observer.

One thing which leaves no room for doubt is Streak's total commitment when he is out on the field.

Heath Streak is one of the most underrated players in the game From Geordie Ahmed Have your say on TMS

Not only is he the first Zimbabwean bowler to take 200 wickets in Tests, but he is only the third from the African continent to do so following Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.

Streak has lacked support for most of his career, so it could be argued that his 200 wickets is equal in worth to the 300 plus bagged by the South African pair.

The 29-year-old reached the milestone when he bowled Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful for 98 in the first Test in Harare and among the first to pay tribute was Olonga.

STREAK'S 200 WICKETS 44 v Pakistan 33 v Sri Lanka 26 v New Zealand 24 v England 24 v India 21 v West Indies 18 v Bangladesh 7 v Australia 3 v South Africa

"For Streaky to get to 200 is testament to the man's ability. He's a quality bowler playing in a team which could have supported him more over the years," Olonga told BBC Sport.

"He bowls a good out-swinger and possesses a very clever off-cutter as well. He's got a very good cricket mind and can work batsmen out."

Zimbabwe are on a hiding to nothing in their current home series against Bangladesh.

If they win, it will surprise no-one even though they last tasted success in a Test in Bangladesh in November 2001.

Should they lose, however, to a team which has lost 25 out of 26 games since being granted Test status, Zimbabwe would be the focus of derision from cricket followers around the globe.

Streak is used to doing more than his fair share of bowling.

"I'm become pretty used to it, it's something I've always had to deal with," he said.

"We've got the ability in the side to spread the load, but we just need to become more consistent."

Streak now regularly fills a middle order spot

When Streak began his Test career in December 1993 he was primarily a strike bowler with few pretensions as a batsman.

He was out for nought in four of his first seven Test innings, only reaching double figures once, but it is a measure of his determination that he can now be classed as an all-rounder and his batting is still improving.

His maiden Test century - an innings of 127 not out - came against West Indies as recently as last November and he also has 12 one-day fifties to his credit.

The political aspect of Zimbabwe cricket will not go away for Streak, with Australia and England debating whether to tour later this year.

"Heath has got a fine line to tread...if he's to keep his job, he can't rock the boat," is Olonga's view of his situation.

For now, however, Streak's actions have spoken louder than his words.