Olonga faces an uncertain future Olonga leaves his mark

Olonga and team-mate Andy Flower angered the Zimbabwean government when they wore black armbands at the World Cup to "mourn the death of democracy" under president Robert Mugabe.

Flower plays county cricket at Essex and last month took up a three-year contract with Pura Cup side South Australia Redbacks.

But Olonga is in hiding in Johannesburg, fearing reprisals if he returns to his homeland.

I believe that is the right thing for Australia to do Opposition spokesman Kevin Rudd

Australia's main opposition party on Thursday called on the government to grant Olonga asylum.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said Australia should not forget Olonga's courage in an appeal to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

"The World Cup is now over, but it is not time for Australia to forget those who were heroes in the World Cup," Rudd said.

"Flower after completing his season in English county cricket will head for South Australia - this is a good thing.

"But Henry Olonga, a black player, has had a different fate.

"He is currently in hiding in South Africa and as I understand it in radical concern for his life and the well being of his family.

"I call on Mr. Downer on behalf of the Australian government to organise a sporting scholarship for Henry Olonga so he can come here to contribute to Australian cricket and to further his own personal cricketing career."

Olonga's mother lives in Australia where she works as a nurse.

Across the Tasman Sea, a New Zealand cricket fan on Tuesday asked Central District coach Mark Greatbatch to sign Olonga as one of his players.