ICC confirm Alan Isaac's nomination for vice-president

The saga over the next ICC vice-president appears to be drawing to a close with confirmation that Alan Isaac, the chairman of New Zealand Cricket, has been jointly nominated for the position by the New Zealand and Australian cricket boards.

Isaac, who has been formally supported by the ECB and the BCCI, was nominated after Cricket Australia's preferred candidate, John Howard, was blocked by the other international boards - notably the BCCI - who did not see Howard, former Australian prime minister, as an appropriate candidate. Unlike Howard, Isaac appears to be a less fractious candidate and comes into the role with two years experience on the New Zealand board after 35 years in the business world.

If, as expected, his nomination is approved by the ICC's executive board Isaac would take up the role immediately before becoming the ICC president in 2012.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, welcomed the nomination and is hopeful that it will bring an end to a contentious issue. "It has been a lengthy process and I am grateful to both Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket for their joint nomination of Mr Isaac as the ICC vice-president.

"The process now requires Mr Isaac's nomination to be formally approved by the ICC Board and Council, which will be done as quickly as possible, through a circular resolution so that he immediately assumes responsibility as ICC Vice-President for two years before taking over as the ICC President in 2012."