A FORMER international cricketer who found religion after being exiled from his country for speaking out about the government has recently spoken at a restaurant in Loudwater.

Henry Olonga, a former Zimbabwe fast-bowler, spoke to around 80 people from two local churches at the Mr India restaurant on London Road.

The men’s groups from Christ Church in Flackwell Heath and St Peters Church in Loudwater have joined together to share in activities.

Alan Dye head of the Christ Church men’s group said: “The two groups have never done anything together. I think this was a big success.”

He added: “For the evening I did a ‘Parky’ style interview with him and he talked about his childhood, his career and his faith.”

Olonga is most famous for his stand against Robert Mugabe’s reign in Zimbabwe.

The bowler famously wore a black armband alongside former England coach Andy Flower in a 2003 world cup match, to signify the death of democracy in their homeland.

It is reported that a warrant was soon put out for Olonga’s arrest, a charge which would have carried a death sentence.