Olonga and teammate Andy Flower wore the armbands during Zimbabwe's World Cup opener against Namibia on February 10, and signed their names to a powerful statement condemning the "death of democracy" and worsening conditions in their strife-torn country.

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union petitioned the ICC, which promptly issued a fiat asking the players to discontinue their protest. Notwithstanding, Olonga was dropped for Zimbabwe's game against India earlier this week -- and his replacement, Douglas Hondo, proved expensive against the Indian opening bats.

A day later came news that club team Takashinga had axed him from the side.  A statement issued by the club's disciplinary committee said Olonga had "brought the game of cricket and the club into disrepute" by wearing the black armband.

Olonga is sanguine. "I have no problems leaving a club that does not want me," the 26-year-old told the media. "I'll look around for some club that does want me, I am sure there will be one somewhere."