Rebels issue Tuesday ultimatum to board

Zimbabwe's rebel players have given the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) a deadline of Tuesday to agree to arbitration to try to bring the dispute to a conclusion. If the board does not agree to their demands, then the players will resume their boycott.

On Wednesday the ZCU issued a statement (which it stated was issued on behalf of the 15 players) which said that the rebels had agreed to end their standoff pending the establishment of a disputes procedure. But the players denied that they had given any such undertaking, and met this morning to review their position. The players have no faith that the ZCU will honour any agreements, hence their demand for independent arbitration.

"Our clients believe that for the sake of the game of cricket that the only way forward is that a disputes mechanism be established forthwith and a format be agreed to bring this matter to closure," a letter from the players' lawyers to the board read.

"This should be in the form of a panel of three arbitrators. Our clients have complete confidence in the offices of Mr Muchadeyi Ashton Masunda ... and feel that he should be assisted by an international cricketer and a foreign administrator involved in cricket. We believe that the arbitration should be held at a neutral venue and that this should be held as soon as possible and not later than 21 days from today's date.

"Our client wishes to make unequivocally clear that its agreement to return to practice and selection is dependent upon the consent of the ZCU to submit this matter to arbitration in the manner outlined and the reconstruction of the national selection panel." The letter concluded that they expected a "substantive response" by next Tuesday (May 4).

The letter also outlined the terms of reference for the arbitration, which include selection criteria and transgressions by board members. It also mentions the dismissal of Heath Streak, but that particular issue, while contentious, is unlikely to be a sticking point.

One of the rebels told Reuters that they were quite prepared to resume their boycott if the board refused to agree to their resquest. "We are going to practise tomorrow [Friday] and we will be available. But if the ZCU hasn't agreed by Tuesday that they will go to arbitration we will pull out again."

The decision to train on Friday actually strengthens the rebels' hand. Up to now, they have technically been in breach of contract, but by resuming training they have removed one of the main excuses the board might have had to dismiss them.

And whereas last week the ZCU held all the aces, the humiliation of its new-look side at the hands of Sri Lanka has left it desperate to strengthen the team to try and avoid the ICC looking too closely at Zimbabwe's international status. And the only way it can do that is to bring the rebels back into the fold. Although it has repeatedly refused to consider arbitration, it might now think again.

A ZCU spokesman declined to comment, saying that the board needed time to discuss the letter.