Zimbabwe board offers a glimmer of hope

The possibility - albeit only a slight one - of a solution to the stand-off threatening to rip apart Zimbabwe cricket emerged with the news that the Zimbabwe Cricket Union has taken steps to try and find a compromise with the rebel players. A source close to the ZCU told the AFP news agency that a process had been put in place "which will hopefully help negotiations".

Vince Hogg, the marginalised chief executive of the ZCU, confirmed that there had been developments, but would add nothing else. "The players are looking at the document," he said today. "It will be tomorrow at the earliest before we get their response."

Although no specifics were revealed, it is thought that the ZCU might have agreed to arbitration to try and find an end to the dispute . If the board softens its line then it would expect the players to make themselves available for future matches, as well as training sessions. But there was no mention of the board withdrawing the 21-day deadline imposed last week which stipulated that if the players did not fall into line by then, then they would be suspended or dismissed.

The main sticking point could well be Heath Streak. Relations between Streak and the board are at an all-time low - the board announced that he had retired from all cricket - and in recent days the ZCU and the government-backed media have sought to identify him as a key instigator in what they paint as a racist plot to overthrow the board. Furthermore, Peter Chingoka, the ZCU chairman, has gone on record as insisting that Streak will not be reinstated and that the matter is closed. Without Streak, it is unlikely that the majority of the players would consider returning to play for a board which has thrown so much mud at them.

The olive branch clearly comes as a result of pressure the International Cricket Council (Chingoka met with several of its representatives earlier this week), but it might be too little, too late.

The other problem is that the board's leeway is very limited. It is controlled by a government which rarely considers compromise, and rules by force. But that it has offered anything at all keeps alive a glimmer of hope.