Twelve dissident Zimbabwe cricketers will cancel their contracts with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union on Friday if the ZCU rejects or ignores demands. This would mean end of international careers of Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Andy Blignaut, Craig Wishart, Ray Price, Trevor Gripper, Sean Ervine among others. ZCU’s STAND: Chief executive Vincent Hogg declines to comment but the Union has maintained that the players are employees and cannot cancel their contracts. The 21-days ultimatum to the players by the ZCU to return to duties or “face action” is due to expire on Friday. ICC’s STAND: President Ehsan Mani said that the “high-risk” approach by the rebels may spell the end of their careers. ‘‘I am not going to pass comment on the rights or wrongs but what is clear is that by walking out on their teammates on the eve of a Test, the rebels have placed Tatenda Taibu and his team in an invidious position. THE BACKGROUND BEGINNING: The crisis was triggered after Heath Streak lost the Zimbabwe captaincy. Streak and 14 other white cricketers distanced themselves from the national team alleging political meddling in selection. REBELS’ STAND: Not against the promotion of cricket among the black population but argue that this policy should be carried out in a more controlled manner.
