Cricket: Zimbabwe opposes John Howard

John Howard's only credentials are that he is a cricket fan. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Zimbabwe has moved to block former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's progression to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) presidency, reportedly telling delegates he did not have New Zealand's full support.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Zimbabwe, full-voting members of the ICC, told delegates at this week's meeting in Dubai that Howard did not have the backing of New Zealand, despite it jointly nominating him for the vice-presidency along with Australia.

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Peter Chingoka was his country's delegate at the meeting, while New Zealand Cricket (NZC) was represented by its board chairman Alan Isaac.

NZC was understood to have reiterated its support for Howard, despite initially pushing for a homegrown candidate, respected administrator Sir John Anderson, who appeared far better qualified for the job.

The decision of Cricket Australia and NZC to support Howard's nomination was reached only after both boards formed a joint nominations committee, headed by an independent chairman in respected Australian businessman Sir Rod Eddington.

An ICC vote on the vice-presidency was deferred to a later date after several members were unable to attend the meeting due to flight restrictions caused by Iceland's volcanic eruptions.

Under the ICC's rotational policy, an Australasian nominee will take over the ICC vice-presidency in 2010, and ascend to the presidency in 2012.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat last night denied Zimbabwe was behind a move to block Howard's nomination, but confirmed "clarifications were being sought".

"It was felt clarity on the matter was needed and it will be discussed in the coming weeks," Lorgat told the paper.

Howard was a vocal critic of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe - a patron of Zimbabwe Cricket - during his time in office.

In 2007, Howard took the dramatic step of banning Australia's cricket team from touring the African nation to avoid Ricky Ponting's men being "used as propaganda by this appalling regime".

- NZPA