LONDON, July 14: Zimbabwe's rebel players have not give up hope of representing their country again despite an ongoing dispute with their national cricket authority, batsman Stuart Carlisle said here on Wednesday.
"After three months of asking for arbitration, we are back to square one," Carlisle told BBC Radio 5 Live. "If the right results come through, you may see a few players come back."
Zimbabwe cricket has been blighted by dispute that started in April following the sacking of former captain Heath Streak and led to 15 other players being barred from representing the troubled African state.
Fast bowler Streak, now at English county Warwickshire, accused the Zimbabwe Cricket Union of making some team choices based on race rather than merit. He was then immediately dismissed.
The other players, all white, having failed to get him reinstated, went on strike. They in turn were sacked and their contracts revoked. Now 14 of those players - all-rounder Andy Blignaut was unavailable - have formed themselves into a team called the Red Lions, currently on a charity tour of England.
They aim to raise money for the Zimbabwean Cricketers Fund and the Zimbabwe Pensioners Fund and were set to play the first match of their tour against celebrity side Lashings at Wimbledon Cricket Club, south London, later on Wednesday.
Carlisle, captain of the rebel side, added there was no political agenda for the Lions tour, although they will be meeting International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed to discuss the situation.
"It's been a very stressful period for us and our families. We are here to have a bit of fun and enjoyment. We need to have a bit of a break." Lashings were due to include former Zimbabwe pace bowler Henry Olonga in their side.
Olonga, the first black player to represent Zimbabwe, effectively ended his international career when at last year's World Cup he and white team-mate Andy Flower staged a black armband protest mourning "the death of democracy" in Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe.
Earlier this month the ICC suspended Zimbabwe's Test status for the rest of the year following heavy defeats against Sri Lanka. However their One-day Internationals remained intact and England are due to play five matches in Zimbabwe in November.
Reports have suggested that many England first-choice players are unwilling to tour but Carlisle was guarded about whether anyone should opt-out of going to Zimbabwe. "It's not for me to make a decision. It's up to individual players around the world," Carlisle said. -AFP
