Morgan and Pawar back nomination process

The controversy over the nomination of John Howard for the role of ICC's president-designate has taken an interesting turn with Sharad Pawar, the president-in-waiting, throwing his weight behind the process that chose the former Australian prime minister. Pawar's stand, which also received backing from ICC president David Morgan, comes in the wake of opposition, led by the Zimbabwe, South Africa and Sri Lanka boards, to Howard's nomination.

The ICC statement, released following a meeting between Morgan and Pawar in London, did not mention Howard by name and made it clear that the final decision on his candidature will be taken by the ICC board.

"The ICC had decided that the next vice-president would be nominated by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket. Those two boards have been through a very thorough and robust selection process to suggest a candidate," the statement said, "and now the ICC Board has to consider and decide on this nomination."

As it stands, the ICC board is divided on the issue, with Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket leading the move to prevent Howard's nomination. On Thursday, Sri Lanka expressed their support to the African bloc. Howard needs seven of the ten votes in his favour, and with three countries already against him, one more negative vote will rule him out. India is expected to play a crucial role in the final result.

"I am sure we can reach a decision which will be unanimously supported by the ICC Board," the statement quoted Pawar as saying.

"The board of the ICC debated and approved, some two years ago, a nomination process for the presidency and the vice-presidency," read the joint statement issued by Morgan and Pawar. "The unanimous decision of the Board at the time was that the presidency and the vice-presidency should be decided on a rotational basis."

All the previous nominations to the ICC presidency have been unanimous.