The Herald
By Eddie Chikamhi
24 June 2010
Harare — THE Zimbabwe Cricket board is expected to meet this week to come up with a stance on former Australian primier John Howard’s nomination for the International Cricket Council vice-presidency.
Howard who was in the country yesterday, accompanied by the Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke met Zimbabwe Cricket management and discussed wide-ranging issues meant to improve cricket relations between the two nations ahead of the ICC meeting this weekend.
ZC was represented in the meeting by chairman Peter Chingoka, managing director Ozias Bvute and the board’s legal and constitutional board committee member Wilson Manase.
Howard was in the country to formalise relations ahead of the ICC meeting this weekend at which his nomination for the ICC post will be finalised.
“Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket, together with Howard as their nominee, took up the opportunity to meet personally with the ZC officials before the annual conference to formalise relationships and discuss the current challenges and progress of international cricket and those particular to the ZC Board,” said a statement from the Cricket Australia board.
Zimbabwe holds a crucial vote in Howard’s candidature to take on a two-year term as vice-president, becoming president of the game’s world governing body in 2012 can only be approved by at least seven of the ICC’s 10 Test-playing nations.
Howard was nominated by the New Zealand and Australian boards as their candidate on their turn under the ICC rotational policy.
Bvute said ZC are yet to meet to discuss the issue, contrary to reports that Zimbabwe had already taken a decision to vote against Howard.
“A section of the international media has erroneously created the impression that we have been at the forefront of a motion to block Howard’s nomination.
“This is not only maliciously correct but also ignores the fact that our structures dictate that such a decision can only be taken by the Zimbabwe Cricket board which is still to convene and state the position on this matter,” he said.
Bvute however acknowledged the frosty relations that existed between Zimbabwe and Australia in the recent past and said that would not in any way affect their decision on the matter.
“We are not vindictive people regardless of how badly we have been portrayed and treated in the past. Our concern has and will always be the welfare of the game.
“Our final decision concerning the ICC vice-presidency will be guided by what is in the best interest of cricket in this country,” said Bvute.
The ICC is expected to meet next week at a gathering at which Howard’s ascension to the ICC vice-presidency will be finalised.
However, Howard’s attacks on Zimbabwe during his prime ministerial days and his criticism of Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s controversial bowling action have led to some nations including South Africa questioning his appointment. A lack of support from the influential Indian board could lead to at least six nations voting against Howard, including Sri Lanka.
Howard’s problems in winning the ICC vote come after discontent in New Zealand earlier this year when Howard was eventually chosen ahead of the Kiwi candidate Sir John Anderson, a former NZ Cricket chairman.
Howard’s visit follows a similar trip to New Zealand and Australia by Education, Sports, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart last week at which both nations indicated their willingness to re-engage Zimbabwe in international commitments. Bvute also said other issues discussed at yesterday’s meeting included the ICC and the future of cricket in Zimbabwe.
He described the meeting as ‘frank, friendly and constructive.’
“I am confident that each party left this meeting with a better understanding of the other,” said Bvute. Australia are set to host a Zimbabwean team for the first time since 2003, following a meeting between Cricket Australia and Coltart.
In keeping with Zimbabwe’s plans for gradual re-engagement with the cricket community, any series will be played between “A” teams from the two countries.
Howard said his wish was to see the standards of the game improving in Zimbabwe.
“My personal wish is to see Zimbabwe fully re-integrated into the world cricket family and see the sport continue to grow in all parts of the world, including Zimbabwe,” he said.