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Zimbabwean Rebels Quit

Wednesday, May 19 2004

The international careers of the 15 Zimbabwean rebel cricketers are over, with the group of players deciding to cease negotiations with the ZCU and look to life after international cricket.

Andy Blignaut, Gary Brent, Stuart Carlisle, Charles Coventry, Sean Ervine, Gavin Ewing, Neil Ferreira, Grant Flower, Travis Friend, Trevor Gripper, Raymond Price, Barney Rogers, Richard Sims, Heath Streak and Craig Wishart agreed to end their international careers following attempted discussions the Zimbabwean Cricket Union around the future of the national side.

Speaking through Chris Venturas, the player group's lawyer, it was announced that the players would no longer seek and attend discussions with the ZCU following the tense 6-week standoff.

As the rebels - close to the countries complete top 15 cricketers - were on strike, a severely under strength Zimbabwean side was demolished 5-0 in an ODI Series and 2-0 in a Test series against Sri Lanka - all matches won by handsome margins plus interest.

In speaking to the media, lawyer Venturas stated "That's it, it's quite a sad situation. The series will proceed as far as we know, but the 15 guys who have removed themselves from selection will not be playing."

The decision places the final nail in the coffin of Zimbabwean cricket as a competitive organization, following a consistent player drain due to the horrific political system in the African nation.

Since 1999, a steady flow of top-flight players has left the Zimbabwean homeland, culminating in an emotional World Cup protest from the countries greatest ever cricketer in Andy Flower and the first coloured player for the nation Henry Olonga with their black armband protest.

Yet the cause of the crisis was the sacking of influential captain Heath Streak - the countries leading active cricketer and arguably the greatest Zimbabwean bowler of all time - after he voiced his discontent to the ZCU over national selection policies. He was soon joined by 14 teammates in a battle that ensured the future of the national side looked bleak.

7 days ago the rebels players had their contracts terminated by the ZCU after an alleged breach by not turning up to training. Only hours before the rebels had agreed to return to training as a gesture of goodwill in the hope that the crisis would move towards a resolution.

Dismal performances by the inexperienced national side - combined with the continued standoff and the arrival of the world champion Australian side - caused for the games governing body, the ICC, to enter negotiations with the ZCU in an effort to restore a full-strength side.

International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed arrived in Zimbabwe on a whirlwind trip in an attempt to cease the clash between the board and rebels. He today left the country after revelations that he was locked out of discussions involving the ZCU.

It now seems likely that the Test and ODI series against Australia will be postponed until an unassigned date.

The cricket world at large has been watching the events unfold from a distance in a hope that an appropriate compromise could be met. Yet since this has not been met, speculation has aroused about a possible withdrawal of Zimbabwean Test status and full-scale bans from the ICC.

A 24-hour deadline was announced by the ICC for a resolution of the crisis before action was taken.

While the ICC is yet to comment, ZCU head Peter Chingoka announced that a statement will be made later today. The 15 rebels players, headed by Streak and spokesman Grant Flower, have yet to comment on the issue.

Posted by Andre