Howard pads away rumours of becoming Oz candidate for ICC prez

Canberra (Australia), Jan.22 (ANI): Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has refused to comment on whether he will be his country's candidate for president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Cricket Australia too has refused to confirm or deny the development.

Since his defeat at the 2007 election, Howard's only official position has been as director of the Bradman Foundation, his office said.

Next month the governing cricket bodies in Australia and New Zealand will propose an Australasian candidate to take the leadership of the ICC from 2012. The chosen candidate will serve as deputy president from the middle of this year.

A spokesman for Cricket Australia confirmed yesterday that an Australian candidate had been selected but would not say if it was Mr Howard.

"We do have a preferred candidate. He is very dedicated to cricket and willing for his name to go forward."

During his 11 years running Australia, Howard regularly weighed into cricket politics, but expressed a distaste for Twenty20. (ANI)