Streak all praise for MacGill

Stuart MacGill has earned Streak's respect © Getty Images

Heath Streak has lauded Stuart MacGill's decision to withdraw from Australia's tour of Zimbabwe. He told The Melbourne Age "I respect Stuart for the decision he's made." MacGill recently pulled out of the tour saying he could not tour Zimbabwe with a clear conscience.

"That's his (MacGill's) view on what he feels is morally and principally right," said Streak. "With our stand-off now with the ZCU that's basically what we feel. Morally and principally we are standing up for what we believe is the right thing."

At the same time Streak warned that the protest of 15 Zimbabwean cricketers should not be misconstrued. "We've got to be careful people don't think we're trying to encourage Australia and England not to come because that isn't the case, but we want our issues resolved in a fair and transparent manner... If that doesn't happen then I'm sure friends of ours that we've made during our international careers from all countries, not just Australia and England, will want to know more about what's going on and how it's being dealt with."

While newspapers have reported that several other Australian cricketers also have second thoughts about touring Zimbabwe, James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive, has said that such a development is unlikely.