Marsh and Streak had formed a close working relationship

He described Streak as a "brilliant" skipper who "gave everything he possibly could" on behalf of his side.

"He was a brilliant captain, you only have to look at his performances to see that," added Marsh, who refused to comment about his own future.

"It's a very sad day for Zimbabwe cricket. I'm very disappointed and very saddened."

He's a fantastic cricketer and he's still got a lot to offer David Houghton Read more: Houghton on Taibu

Streak quit after allegedly making demands about the selection panel and team management which the Zimbabwe Cricket Union refused to meet.

Former captain and coach David Houghton said Streak's absence would leave "a massive hole in the Zimbabwe side".

"He's a fantastic cricketer and he's still got a lot to offer," Houghton went on.

Streak recently become the first Zimbabwean to reach 200 Test wickets.

And he scored his maiden Test century against West Indies as recently as last November.

"You've got Blignaut coming through and one or two others but they really are youngsters," Houghton added.

"He always was an all-rounder - he only batted where he did because of the number of overs he bowled.

"He will be hard to replace."

Wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu has been appointed as skipper in his place and will lead Zimbabwe for the first time in a home series against Sri Lanka, which starts later this month.

Heath Streak would walk into any team in the world; Zimbabwe simply can't afford to lose him From Sean O'Haire Have your say on TMS

"It's going to be hard for him, he's only 20 years old," said Marsh.

The Australian has been in charge of the team since August 2001 and his current contract runs until the end of September.

The ZCU said Streak had resigned "from all forms of cricket", but he played for Matabeleland on day one of a domestic game against Mashonaland on Saturday.

The 30-year-old also has a summer contract with English county side Warwickshire.