Zimbabwe could be stripped of Test status

There is every likelihood that Australia will push for Zimbabwe to be stripped of Test status when the International Cricket Council meets next month. Addressing a news conference on Saturday, James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, said, "It's over a month away right now and that gives the Zimbabwe Cricket Union a chance to resolve some of their differences with their players. I think that [the Test status of Zimbabwe] is a question that has probably come on to the table and is higher on the agenda now than it has ever been before."

Sutherland said that a decision would be taken in June, but he admitted that Australia, and several other Test-playing nations, were concerned about the current impasse between players and administrators in Zimbabwe.

The two-Test series between Zimbabwe and Australia was cancelled on Friday, just 24 hours before the first match was due to start. And given Australia's crowded itinerary, it's unlikely to be played for at least another four years. The two teams will now play three one-day internationals in Harare, though once again, the rebel players have not been considered for selection.

"One can't predict but one would assume that a Zimbabwe 2nd or 3rd XI playing against the best team in the world would not have been a pretty contest," said Sutherland. "It's well known that the ICC have commenced a review of the structure of international cricket. There are certainly concerns about the standard of their team at the moment and that's something the ICC will address at their June meeting."