By Oliver Brett

In a horrid way it's been good for us - in our own way, without giving evidence, we've won the argument Stuart Carlisle

It began as a vibrant show of solidarity for their leader.

But seven months down the line the Zimbabwe rebels' dispute with their national board has fizzled out like a damp set of cheap fireworks.

The loser, ironically, is Zimbabwe's current international cricket side, who have been exposed as the desperately inexperienced collection of players they are.

Many of the rebels, convinced their claims of racism in team selection would continue to fall on deaf ears, had long since pinned down professional playing contracts in England or Australia.

But until Tuesday, three die-hard rebels remained.

They were former captain Heath Streak, the standard bearer himself, and two batsmen - Trevor Gripper and Stuart Carlisle.

News story: Rebels rule out quick return

With news that an independent tribunal into the affair has been wound up, the three are now ready to get on with their lives.

And although a return to Test cricket in the future is not totally out of the question, the former rebels are currently pursuing a life away from Zimbabwean cricket.

So what does the future hold for them?

Carlisle told BBC Sport: "I have been offered some great contracts to play grade cricket - two in New Zealand and two in Australia.

"But I decided for my sins to stay in Zimbabwe, for family reasons. I've got a two-year old daughter and we would be living out of suitcases to start with.

"I've got a small export business that I've been running for a couple of months and I'm also going to be starting employment in January.

"Trevor has been working for a company for the last couple of weeks and Heath has helped his father out on his ranch with wildlife tours and hunting."

Former rebel Sean Ervine will play for Hampshire in 2005

In addition, Streak, in line with other former rebels, also has a full county season to look forward to in 2005 - in his case with county champions Warwickshire.

But while Carlisle and Co are getting their new careers - whether inside or outside cricket - up and running, it is not simply a case of 'I'm all right Jack.'

He still cares deeply about cricket in Zimbabwe and cannot believe the ICC have allowed Zimbabwe to resume Test cricket from January with such a poor side.

"It's the ICC who always talk about upholding the integrity of cricket but Zimbabwe are not even competing in world cricket and it's going to draw a lot of sponsors away," said Carlisle.

The game's governing body has given all sorts of people a raw deal, Carlisle added.

"Players around the world do not get protected enough.

"The England team are jumping on a plane saying we don't want to go to Zimbabwe but it all boils down to money.

"They are told if you don't go you are going to lose millions of pounds - obviously they feel they are going to have to go."

Carlisle says it is highly ironic that he and the other rebels were lent so much financial support by people in Zimbabwe and elsewhere during their conflict with the board.

Deep down, he knows that money could have been used more beneficially to promote grass roots cricket in the country had Streak not been sacked in the first place.