Howard still keen on top ICC role

Howard is lifelong cricket fan

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has not given up hope of becoming the next vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 70-year-old's bid was rejected by the ICC's board on Wednesday at its annual meeting in Singapore.

The ICC said there was no political grounds for the decision and ordered Australia and New Zealand to submit another candidate by 31 August.

But a determined Howard insisted: "I won't be withdrawing."

Indian Sharad Pawar succeeded David Morgan as ICC president on Thursday after serving a two-year tenure as the Welshman's deputy.

Pawar's promotion means the next vice-president must come from Australasia as part of the ICC's rotation policy.

And although the former Maharastra chief minister insisted the decision to reject Howard's candidature had not been taken on political grounds, the latter was puzzled by the refusal to offer an explanation.

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"Even in private discussions they are very reluctant to give a particular reason," Howard told Sky News. "It's a very unusual situation."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, meanwhile, indicated that New Zealand and Australia would risk another rejection if they resubmitted Howard's name.

"There weren't a sufficient number of directors in support of the (Howard's) nomination, (it) did not go to a vote and the outcome was to request Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket to reconsider their nomination and to return to the ICC by the 31 August," said Lorgat.

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