Howard in Zimbabwe to seek support for his ICC bid

Melbourne, Jun 23: To get Zimbabwe’s support for his nomination as vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), former Australian Prime Minister John Howard is in the country to meet key figures of Zimbabwe Cricket.

Zimbabwe had, earlier, tried to convince fellow council members that Howard lacks appropriate support to bid for the vice-presidency of the ICC.

Howard is in Harare today with Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke, meeting key figures from Zimbabwe Cricket.

The visit comes ahead of a key vote at a weekend meeting of the ICC where Howard’s ascension to vice president (and future president) is due to be finalized, The Courier Mail represents.

Zimbabwe, apparently angry at Howard’s stand against the Robert Mugabe regime during his prime ministership, had threatened to block his nomination.

Sri Lanka and South Africa also made it known that they did not want Howard in the job.

However last week, Zimbabwe’s Sport Minister Senator David Coltart met Cricket Australia officials in Melbourne, and denied Zimbabwe was anti-Howard.