Australian cricket's hopes of avoiding a second-string Zimbabwe side on this month's tour of the African nation have been dealt a major blow overnight.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) has fired former captain Heath Streak and 14 other rebel players who went into dispute with the board last month over selection issues.

A ZCU statement said the players had violated a 21-day breach clause in their contracts by not returning to work by May 7.

The players, who say they were finalising a timetable for mediation when the ZCU dropped its bombshell, have since declared they will sue the union for breach of contract.

The 10 home-based members of the Australian Test side leave on Thursday for Zimbabwe where they will meet up with Shane Warne, Darren Lehmann and Michael Kasprowicz, who will travel from England where they are playing county cricket.

Australian cricket coach John Buchanan said that he was hoping to see a resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe cricket which has led to the country fielding a second-string side.

Australia is scheduled to play two Tests and three one-day internationals.

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