Rebel players demand international mediators

Heath Streak returns to the fold © Getty Images Enlarge

Heath Streak, Ray Price, Trevor Gripper and Sean Ervine have been included in the Zimbabwe A team that will take on Sri Lanka in a three-day tour match ahead of the first Test.

Streak, the former captain of the Zimbabwe team, and 14 other cricketers who had rebelled against the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, returned to training on Friday. This effectively ended a boycott that began on April 2.

However, Streak will not be leading the team. Alester Maregwede has been named the captain of the team. Streak, however, is just happy to be playing cricket once more. A Reuters report quoted him as saying, "I'm elated, very excited. I'm looking forward to getting back on the park, and I hope the ZCU is serious about resolving our grievances."

Meanwhile, the rebel players have demanded that Streak be reinstated as captain of the national team, and that a two international mediators are appointed to break the deadlock between the ZCU and the players. The players have submitted these demands to the ZCU in a letter, and Chris Venturas, their lawyer, who speaks of a "mechanism to resolve the issue."

Earlier the ZCU had suggested a similar process of mediation, but the players had rejected it on the basis that the process would take too long. Two major points remain unresolved. The first is the reinstatement of Streak as captain, which the ZCU has repeatedly refused. The second is the removal of one member of the selection panel. This matter is not even up for discussion, according to the board.

The ZCU has till Thursday to accept or reject the proposal, but Venturas is not optimistic. "I feel they will turn us down," he said. Vince Hogg, the chief executive of the ZCU, confirmed receiving the letter but would not comment on the matter. The rebel players will practice alongside their one-day replacements in the lead up to the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, they would walk out if their demands were not met, said Grant Flower.

Zimbabwe A team 1 Trevor Gripper, 2 Mark Vermeulen, 3 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 4 Alester Maregwede (capt), 5 Vusi Sibanda, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Sean Ervine, 8 Heath Streak, 9 Prosper Utseya, 10 Blessing Mahwire, 11 Ray Price.