Zimbabwe’s cricket rebels were on Saturday considering a three-week deadline from their cricket chiefs in which to withdraw a demand for the reinstatement of captain Heath Streak and to make themselves available for selection in future matches and tours.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Union, which told them that if they did not show up for practice Friday ”action would be taken”, have held back by giving them this ultimatum.
But if they do not comply by the deadline, May 8, they will either be suspended or dismissed. ZCU chairperson Peter Chingoka said on Thursday: ”They are employees, after all.”
The 15 dissident players, although advised to soften their stance by their lawyer Chris Ventura, seem hell bent on continuing the stand-off over the removal of Streak in particular.
The chief executive of the ZCU, Vincent Hogg said there had been no writs and counter-writs as reported in the Times of London and other British newspapers on Saturday.
”The letter is what is on the table” he said. Neither Venturas, nor any senior white player, was available for comment or to give initial reaction to the ZCU letter.
Meanwhile the new Zimbabwe squad, consisting of 12 blacks and two white teenagers, arrived in Bulawayo for hasty preparations ahead of their clash on Tuesday with one-day specialists Sri Lanka, who can expect to give no quarter to their unexpected and little
known opponents.
The Sri Lankans, under coach John Dyson, had a warm-up session at the Queens Sports Club ground on Saturday. There will be further practice sessions in the next two days. – Sapa-AFP