Cricket: Howard in running to head ICC - report

Cricket Australia and John Howard are remaining tight-lipped over whether the former prime minister will be nominated to run the game's international governing body.

Australian media reported today that Mr Howard could be nominated by CA as its candidate for the presidency of the International Cricket Council.

An Australasian candidate will lead the ICC from 2012.

Mr Howard did not comment on the report, while a CA spokesman said: "We do have a preferred candidate. He is very dedicated to cricket and willing for his name to go forward."

Peter Roebuck, writing in his column in the Sydney Morning Herald today, has slammed the very idea of John Howard running cricket.

"Cricket Australia's decision to nominate John Howard as its candidate for the top job at the International Cricket Council is as pitiful as it is disrespectful", writes Roebuck, who goes on to criticise the former PM's lack of experience in cricket administration.

He says that instead, Australasia should recommend the candidate New Zealand has nominated for the position, Sir John Anderson.

Sir John was Chairman of New Zealand Cricket for over a decade until he stepped down in 2008. He was also former CEO of ANZ Bank.

- AAP, NZHERALD STAFF