Trevor Gripper is about to play a season of club cricket in England

It is possible some of them will never return to the country, as they face possible persecution by the Government.

They say: "Our actions have never been racially or politically motivated.

"Our action was in solidarity with our national captain, Heath Streak, who was unlawfully dismissed." They fully support the current Zimbabwe team.

Some of the players have already left to play overseas, and others are about to do so.

Streak leaves Harare on Friday to join Warwickshire, and Grant Flower and Trevor Gripper are already in England.

Gripper will be playing club cricket for Cranleigh in Surrey at the weekend, while Flower will soon start at Lashings.

Andy Blignaut was yesterday signed by Tasmania, and Sean Ervine has already settled in Perth. The remainder are expected to follow shortly.

In their statement, they say: "Two months ago we decided to withdraw our services from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.

The ZCU had the right to fire the rebels as they breached their legal contracts - any cricket board would have acted in the same manner! From Ashie Ash Have your say on TMS

"Our actions were in protest at the unfair and discriminatory employment practices perpetrated against us by individuals of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.

"It was our hope that meaningful dialogue and negotiation would address our problems with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union... to achieve our goal to safeguard the future of Zimbabwe cricket.

"Through our years of service and dedication we feel we have been an example of a successful and multiracial team.

"Despite some perceptions, we have proven time and time again that Zimbabweans of all colours can work together and achieve excellence, as shown in our last two World Cups.

"As patriotic citizens of the country we love, we still hope a solution will be achieved and that we can soon return to playing for Zimbabwe."

Second-string

But their lawyer Chris Venturas said: "I think there is a very remote chance that they will play for Zimbabwe again."

Zimbabwe have been forced to pick a second-string team since 2 April when the rebels made themselves unavailable.

The ZCU fired the players for the stand they took and the rebels asked the International Cricket Council to form a dispute resolution committee to arbitrate.