Streak is unlikely ever to return as Zimbabwe's captain

Heath Streak and three fellow 'rebels' returned to action on Saturday as Zimbabwe A began a three-day match against the touring Sri Lankans.

The former national captain made a low-key comeback as he was dismissed for one and then bowled seven overs without taking a wicket.

Sri Lanka were 66-2 at the close after bowling out the home side for 294.

Streak and 14 other white players have been at loggerheads with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union for the past month.

But they have agreed to suspend their action, pending a hearing of their grievances by an independent arbitrator.

Without them, a second-string Zimbabwe side were whitewashed 5-0 by Sri Lanka in the one-day series.

The two sides are now set to play two Tests, the first of which begins on Thursday.

Good old Streakie is back. Love him or hate him that guy had to be back in Zimbabwe's colours! From Ashie Ash Have your say on TMS

Sri Lanka went into their warm-up game without star bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, but worked their way through the Zimbabwe A line-up despite half centuries from Sean Ervine and Elton Chigumbura.

Ervine, playing his first game since the boycott made 75, while Chigumbura hit two sixes in his 63.

Leg-spinner Upul Chandana took 3-90 for the tourists and there were two wickets each for Farveez Maharoof and Rangana Herath.

Sri Lanka lost opener Ian Daniel without a run on the board at the start of their reply and Sanath Jayasuriya became Blessing Mahwire's second victim when he fell for 11.

But Kumar Sangakkara responded in positive fashion and was 41 not out at the close, with Thilan Samaraweera on 12.

Zimbabwe A: S Matsikenyeri, TR Gripper, MA Vermeulen, V Sibanda, SM Ervine, E Chigumbura, A Maregwede, HH Streak, RW Price, P Utseya, NB Mahwire.