Rebels agree middle-man to liaise with board

A ray of hope has emerged in the ongoing dispute between the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the 15 disaffected players.

Wisden Cricinfo understands that some of the rebels met with Much Masunda, a prominent businessman, earlier today and agreed that they will allow him to meet with the board, in the hope that the move will lead to mediation. No dates have been set, but everyone involved knows that there is a need to resolve the standoff as soon as possible. Masunda should be acceptable to the ZCU, as he was its original choice as a possible mediator.

The deadline imposed by the ZCU - return to work or be fired - expired today, and although both sides have publicly been quiet, there is little doubt that behind-the-scenes attempts to find a resolution have continued.

Other details have emerged regarding the well-publicised confrontation between Stephen Mangongo and Ozais Bvute during the final one-dayer at the Harare Sports Club last week. What is not in doubt was that the two men had a heated exchange - most sources agree that it got physical - over the number of black players in the Test side.

But Wisden Cricinfo has been told that during the row Mangongo, the chief of the selection panel, turned on Bvute and asked why he appointed him as a selector if he was not allowed to select. Bvute replied that he was there to support black interests, and Mangongo apparently snapped: "I am here to serve the interests of cricket."

Although Mangongo is not overly popular with the rebel players, this exchange underlines the rift within the ZCU between those with cricket's interests at heart, and those who appear determined to purge the sport of anyone they perceive as opposing the Zanu-PF government, whatever the cost.

Mangongo is thought to be one of the selectors the rebels want removed on account of his lack of a cricket-playing background. There can be little doubt that Bvute is another whose behaviour has alienated many, as has Max Ebrahim, another hard-liner.