Heath Streak's future at Warwickshire has been thrown into doubt following his decision-to return to international-cricket with Zimbabwe.

Streak has been in self-imposed cricketing exile for a year, citing racism within Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) as the cause.

He was seen as the leader of a group of 15 white ?rebel? players demanding an end to the politicising of the country?s selection system and refusing to play until the administration of the sport in the country was reformed. However cracks in the ?rebel? alliance began to show last week when one of their number, Andy Blignaut, unilaterally agreed to return to the Zimbabwe fold.

Now Streak, too, has had a change of heart.

?I just need to finalise some aspects of my contract with Warwickshire so that it ties in with my international commitments,? Streak said. ?Otherwise I am ready to play for Zimbabwe when selected. I am putting my weight fully behind the captain, Tatenda Taibu, and the rest of the lads.?

Has Streak simply capitulated? Certainly at present none of the demands he had made ? namely the removal of ZC?s chairman of selectors Max Ebrahim and the board?s managing director Ozias Bvute ? have been met, though on-going talks mediated by the Zimbabwe government may result in Ebrahim?s imminent departure.

Cynics might suggest that the Zimbabwean government have simply made Streak an offer too good to refuse. There are elections in the country next month and there can be little doubt that Streak?s return will be greeted as a public relations triumph by President Robert Mugabe and his cronies.

Such a scenario hardly seems to fit Streak?s character. He has never made any secret of his desire to represent Zimbabwe and he shunned the chance to register as a Kolpak player.

He has reiterated on many occasions his desire to help his troubled but beloved country regain its international credibility, even offering to play for free, so it seems unthinkable that he would have backed down unless he had reached agreement with ZC over reform.

It is also worth noting that Streak?s agent is still insisting that the player has yet to sign any contract with ZC.

Other ?rebel? players are bound to follow Streak?s lead over the coming days but there will be those who continue to resist and how they view Streak?s extraordinary about-face will be fascinating.

But before criticising Streak, it is worth putting his family life into context. They still live on a farm in Zimbabwe and his father has twice been arrested by Mugabe?s henchmen.

Their land has been ? annexed? and their existence is best described as vulnerable. Who is to say what sort of pressures Streak has been put under these past weeks?

Even if he does return to international cricket, it need not affect his arrangement with Warwickshire in the short term. As things stand, he will be available until mid-August, when Zimbabwe are involved in a triangular oneday series, although his availability in 2006 would be much more severely affected.

However, ZC could well arrange more international fixtures at short notice. Certainly their coffers, so drained by their suspension from Test cricket, need replenishment.

Warwickshire?s cricket committee ? including coach John Inverarity by phone ? will meet on Monday to ? review? Streak?s position at the club. Though it is unlikely his contract will be terminated, the fact that the meeting is being held at all illustrates the extent to which the club?s plans have been affected.

Warwickshire captain Nick Knight addressed the club?s AGM on Thursday night, stressing how happy he was with the long-term plans for continued development of the team. Yet, almost before his words were delivered, those plans have been scuppered.

Streak was seen as the ideal ?older pro? to help guide Warwickshire?s talented youngsters into the game. It is not just his on-field contributions; his experience and stature within the dressing room cannot be easily replaced.

The signing of a second overseas player is now a distinct possibility, though the club will undoubtedly have a more limited choice of options than if the news had come out earlier.

The situation as regards Worcestershire?s Ray Price is slightly different. Price is a Kolpak registration and has signed a deal which should keep him at New Road until the end of 2006. In effect, therefore, he would have to choose between Worcestershire and Zimbabwe.

Price e-mailed Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton yesterday morning and assured him that he was utterly committed to Worcestershire. ?He was categorical,? Newton told The Post. ?He said he can?t wait to return on April 1 and he insisted that he has no intention of representing Zimbabwe again.?

Price?s wife gave birth last week, adding to the player?s desire to ensure financial security and he can certainly expect to earn more money from county cricket than by playing for Zimbabwe. Indeed, he has previously expressed a desire to qualify for England.