Rebels 'available for one-dayers'

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the Zimbabwean rebel cricketers have indicated that they would be available to play in one-day internationals against the Australians, whose touring party is currently in Harare wondering whether the tour will proceed as planned.

But, according to Chloe Saltau's report, the players don't think they are ready for Test cricket yet: "The rebels met Zimbabwe's provincial stakeholders on Wednesday and, having gained an undertaking that their issues would be addressed at a grass-roots level, declared they wanted to play again. But they said they were not physically or mentally ready for Test cricket and did not wish to be considered for the Australian Tests. Awaiting a response from the ZCU, they trained privately on Wednesday."

One suggestion mooted has been to cancel the two Tests against Australia and play a series of one-day matches instead. This would pose logistical problems for Australia, who would need to bring in their one-day specialists earlier than expected (a three-match ODI series was supposed to start on June 6).

It still seems more likely that, should the ICC vote to strip Test status from the two matches at their emergency meeting on Friday, the Australians will return home.