Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has signed a contract to play for his country again after a year-long exile.
The move paves the way for a return of a large group of rebel white players who walked out in April in a dispute with the Zimbabwe board over selection policies.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Ozias Bvute said in Johannesburg on Friday Streak could play a role in the current tour of South Africa.
"I would like to confirm tonight that Heath Streak has agreed to renew his contract with Zimbabwe Cricket and is immediately available for selection," Bvute told reporters during a break in the first one-day international between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
He added: "I look forward to seeing Heath here in South Africa, if the selectors deem him to be fit. He has been in good nick, getting runs and wickets, and I am confident he will play a part in this tour."
Bvute said Streak, who has been playing for Bulawayo Athletic Club in Zimbabwe's domestic competition, would turn out for the Zimbabwe A side in the one-day series against Bangladesh A next week.
The Zimbabwe national team temporarily lost its test status last year as a result of the row following Streak's departure and has struggled to compete since, reaching a low point when they lost a test and one-day series to Bangladesh at the start of the year.
The affair had begun when Streak, a world-class bowling all rounder who would get in most international sides, lost the captaincy. The board said he had resigned but he said he had been sacked.
IN SUPPORT
When 14 other players walked out in support of Streak, the Zimbabwe board responded by sacking them, leading to months of bitter recriminations. Attempts by the International Cricket Council to solve the crisis failed.
The players argued the team was being selected along racial lines while the board accused them of undermining efforts to broaden the game's appeal in the country.
"I just need to finalise some aspects of my contract with Warwickshire so that it ties in with my international commitments," Streak said on Friday.
"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."
A Zimbabwe government committee is trying to resolve the overall dispute in meetings involving the rebel players and ZC.
"We had another good meeting and there is a strong possibility that more of us may return in the next few days," rebel Stuart Carlisle told Reuters from Harare on Friday.
Carlisle said the rebels wanted to return for the good of Zimbabwean cricket.
"It must be understood that the rebels, like all the stakeholders in Zimbabwe cricket, are concerned about the state of the game in our country," Carlisle said.
"We want to come back because the International Cricket Council is talking about things like Zimbabwe playing home tests only, and we don't want it to get to that stage because that was never our intention."
Streak last played for Zimbabwe on their tour to Bangladesh in February and March last year. The 30-year-old has played 59 tests, taking 234 wickets, and 13 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe.
Rebel all rounder Andy Blignaut played for Tasmania this season before re-committing himself to Zimbabwe on Monday.
