Zimbabwe players Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, who launched a scathing attack on President Robert Mugabe and his government on Monday, have been reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by their own national cricket board.
"They have been reported to the ICC's technical committee by the ZCU (Zimbabwe Cricket Union)," an ICC spokesman said.
Former captain Flower and pace bowler Olonga made a protest - "a silent plea to those responsible to stop the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe" - moments before Zimbabwe's opening World Cup game against Namibia at Harare Sports Club.
They also wore black armbands as part of their protest.
However, the pair were hailed as national heroes yesterday by the country's leading opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
"Olonga and Flower are our heroes and not only on the cricket field because they are the voices of the voiceless as they have movingly spoken about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe," said MDC spokesman Paul Temba Nyathi.
"These brave young men have told the world that all is not well in Zimbabwe though cricket matches are going ahead."
President Mugabe is the patron of the ZCU and has a house across the street from the Harare Sports Club.
