Muthiah-led Nominations Committee divided on next ICC president

Dubai, Mar 2 (UNI) The ICC Nominations Committee was ''deadlocked'' on who between BCCI chief Sharad Pawar and ECB chairman David Morgan should be recommended for the next president of the world governing body even as present incumbent Percy Sonn got an extension of his term in the Executive Board meeting in Cape Town today.

The Committee, headed by former BCCI president AC Muthiah, could not come to a decision on the merits of the two candidates and did not to make a recommendation to the Board concerning Mr Sonn's successor.

''On that basis, the Board decided to refer the matter back to the Governance Review Committee for further discussion on the appropriate way to proceed in the selection process,'' an ICC statement said.

Mr Sonn termed the development as unfortunate.

''The fact the Nominations Committee was unable to put forward a single candidate for consideration by the annual conference is unfortunate.

''However, the positive aspect of the situation is that it illustrates that both Mr Pawar and Mr Morgan had strong support to take over as ICC President and that is a fortunate position for any organization to find itself,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sonn has accepted a third year in office after an invitation from the Board to extend his term till June 2009.

The standard term for an ICC President is two years and that would have seen Mr Sonn completing his time in office next year, having taken over at the 2006 annual conference.

However, the Board has discretion to invite the incumbent to remain in office for a third year.

Mr Sonn's three predecessors -- Jagmohan Dalmiya, Malcolm Gray and Ehsan Mani -- had also served a third year as ICC President.

''I am delighted to accept the Board's invitation to remain as President for a third year. I have had a busy but immensely enjoyable first year in the role that has seen many plusses for our great game,'' Mr Sonn said.

UNI