Howard: I won't be asked again for ICC's top job

John Howard. Photo / Mark Mitchell

MELBOURNE - Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard doubts he will receive another invitation to become International Cricket Council (ICC) vice-president.

The ICC board rejected a motion from Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) earlier this year for Howard to take the job.

It went instead to New Zealander Alan Isaac.

In an internet blog yesterday, Howard said he was "sorry" to miss out on the post.

Howard was asked if he thought CA and NZC would nominate him again.

"I was sorry that I didn't get that job but it's happened ... I don't expect I will get invited again," the ex-PM said on the Australian website.

CA and NZC successfully put forward Isaac to the ICC as the new vice-president after Howard's nomination fell through.

Earlier this year, the ICC also rejected Howard's bid to become its president.

The ICC rejected Howard following a reported revolt by its leading African and Asian nations.

One of the reasons for his rejection is understood to be Howard's very public opposition to Robert Mugabe's government in Zimbabwe.

He also upset the Asian cricket bloc in 2004 by labelling Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan a "chucker", or someone with an illegal bowling action.

Several test nations also objected to Howard because, unlike Isaac, he had no previous experience of cricket administration.

- AAP