The ICC president-elect Sharad Pawar has sought to defuse the row over the nomination of former Australia Prime Minister John Howard as an ICC vice-president. Pawar is set to take over the presidency of world cricket’s governing body from David Morgan next month, with former politician Howard becoming a vice-president. Under ICC procedures, Howard would normally become ICC president in two years’ time.
However, officials from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have all raised concerns about Howard’s suitability. Four votes are needed to block a nomination but Pawar is anxious to avoid a damaging split over the ICC’s future leadership.
“I am sure we can reach a decision which will be unanimously supported by the ICC board,” Pawar said in a joint statement issued with Morgan after they met at Lord’s.