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Cricket > Howard blocked from ICC role
By Steve Larkin
June 30, 2010

African and Asian nations have blocked former Australian prime minister John Howard's bid to become vice president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Howard's nomination for the role was rejected by at least six of the 10 Test playing nations at an ICC executive board meeting in Singapore on Wednesday.

"Following lengthy consideration, it was recognised that the nomination put forward by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket did not have sufficient support within the ICC board," the ICC said in a statement.

Australia and New Zealand had been invited to nominate another candidate by the end of August, the statement said.

African and Asian nations refused to support Howard, who was ultimately supported by just Australia, New Zealand and England.

Under a rotational five-region electoral process, Howard's candidacy for vice president should have been rubber stamped months ago.

But growing opposition to Howard delayed the decision, which is usually a formality appointment.

The opposition was led by Zimbabwe and South Africa, which questioned Howard's suitability given his hardline stance against Zimbabwe's Mugabe regime when prime minister from March 1996 to December 2007.

Howard was challenged in winning over the powerful Asian bloc after once labelling celebrated Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan a "chucker" - someone with an illegal bowling action.

Six of the 10 Test playing nations were believed to have signed a letter opposing Howard's candidacy while Zimbabwe reportedly did not sign but was steadfast in their rejection of the ex-politician.

The ICC vice presidency now may be filled by New Zealand's former cricket board chairman Sir John Anderson, the man Howard beat to become the Australasian candidate.

Under ICC rules, the vice president automatically becomes president after two years.
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