Ousted captain Heath Streak and three other rebel cricketers figure in Zimbabwe's squad for the first of two Tests against Sri Lanka starting Thursday - but whether they actually end up playing is uncertain.
The fate of Streak, all-rounder Sean Ervine, opening batsman Trevor Gripper and spinner Ray Price, will be known later Tuesday after the players meet to discuss the Zimbabwe Cricket Union's response to their demands for the month-long dispute to be settled through international mediation.
Grant Flower, one of the breakaway group not included in the squad, said: "The four will only play if agreement is reached with the ZCU on howto proceed in solving all the issues.
"Otherwise they will withdraw."
The issues alluded to by Flower include the reinstatement of former captain Streak, who was effectively sacked, and the make-up of the national selection panel.
Flower finds himself omitted from a Zimbabwe side, Test or one day international, for the first time since the country became a full International Cricket Conference member 11 years ago.
Among others left out are Craig Wishart, arguably Zimbabwe's best batsman, Alastair Carlisle and Andy Blignaut.
It was Blignaut who accompanied Flower and their legal representative Chris Venturas to a hostile meeting with ZCU directors that cemented the impasse.
Two whites who are included in
the squad and will play if selected for the team do not figure in the row with the union. Mark Vermeulen has kept clear of it and Brendan Taylor is an 18-year-old student.
Convenor of selectors Stephen Mangongo told a local newspaper here that leaving out so many whites had nothing to do with the dispute. However, Flower, Carlisle and Blignaut would normally be regarded as automatic selections.
National coach Geoff Marsh confirmed that all four are fit.
The final make-up of the side to face Sri Lanka will be made known on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka, who were undefeated in the five internationals preceding the Tests, have successfully kept their distance from the local mayhem.
Their main interest lies, after winning the first Test, in whether spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan snatches seven more wickets to move past West Indian Courtney Walsh's Test aggregate record of 519. Muralitharan has 513.
The tourists will announce their side just before the match begins.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD: Tatenda Taibu (capt), Tinashe Panyangara, Stuart Matsikenyere, Vusi Sibanda, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Mluleki Nkala, Alester Maregwede, Blessing Mahwire, Douglas Hondo, Dion Ebrahim, Mark Vermeulen, Brendan Taylor, Heath Streak, Ray Price, Sean Ervine and Trevor Gripper.