Tatenda Taibu is preparing to lead Zimbabwe for the first time

"If a power like Australia does pull out, it could be the end of cricket for Zimbabwe.

"That's the last thing we want," Gilchrist commented.

Up to 13 players have threatened to quit the Zimbabwe squad following the sacking of skipper Heath Streak and a row over the selection panel.

Although they have no problem playing under new captain Tatenda Taibu, they back Streak's view that the panel should be made up of people who have played cricket at the highest level.

The players have called for an independent mediator to be appointed.

"Ideally, every team would have its best team on the field - but it's hard for me to say, I haven't grown up in the countries where these issues are high priorities.

"From a cricketing perspective it would be great to have guys like Heath Streak and Grant Flower and so on still playing because they have done so much for Zimbabwean cricket," said Gilchrist.

I hope in this current situation the stakeholders involved can use this unity of purpose to reach a sensible solution ICC president Ehsan Mani

Australian seam bowler Glenn McGrath, meanwhile, says he is ready to return to Test cricket after recovering from ankle surgery.

He is hoping for a place in the Zimbabwe tour squad, which will be named next week.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said McGrath's form was an "unknown" because of a lack of match practice.

But he added: "He has been an integral part of our bowling attack over many years, so we certainly hope there is something left there."