Cricket: Zimbabwe's future as a test nation in the balance

A select group of cricket heavyweights will meet in Dubai on Friday to deliberate on Zimbabwe's future as a test nation following the revolt and subsequent sacking of 15 top players in the troubled African nation.

The cricket chiefs of India, South Africa and Australia will get a first-hand report from Zimbabwe Cricket Union president Peter Chingoka at the extraordinary meeting called by ICC boss Ehsan Mani.

Sources said the deliberations would set the stage for a final decision on Zimbabwe at the ICC's annual conference in London on June 27.

"The big chiefs want to hear Zimbabwe's version before they meet up with the rest in London," one source said.

There was no word why the heads of the other six test-playing nations were excluded from the Dubai meeting.

Zimbabwean cricket was plunged into crisis in April when 15 white players went on strike after captain Heath Streak was sacked following his demand that the selection committee be re-constituted.

The ZCU were forced to field a third-string team for two tests and five one-dayers against Sri Lanka in May, but subsequent test matches against Australia were cancelled.

South Africa have already said they don't want to host a weakened Zimbabwe side, and Cricket Australia have refused to rule out the possibility that they could press for the expulsion of Zimbabwe from test cricket.

India, which enjoys close diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe, has declined to take sides. But it will go along with the majority at London, sources said.