Howard visits Zimbabwe, chases vote

New Zimbabwe.com

by Nkanyiso Moyo

23 June 2010

FORMER Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the chairman of Cricket Australia, Jack Clarke, arrived in Harare on Wednesday for meetings with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) officials.

The visit by Howard and Clarke follows a recent charm offensive to New Zealand and Australia by Sports Minister David Coltart to end the isolation of Zimbabwe cricket.

ZC chairman Peter Chingoka, managing director, Ozias Bvute and legal and constitutional board committee member Wilson Manase met with the two men.

Zimbabwe Cricket said the meeting discussed a number of issues including the International Cricket Council (ICC), the future of cricket in Zimbabwe and Howard’s candidature for the post of Vice President of the ICC.

Both Howard and Bvute later described the meeting as friendly, constructive and frank.

Bvute said: “I am confident that each party leaves this meeting with a better understanding of the other.”

Asked what his hopes were for the future of cricket in Zimbabwe, Howard said: “My personal wish is to see Zimbabwe fully re-integrated into the world cricket family and see the sport continue to grow in all parts of the world, including Zimbabwe.”

Following the meeting, Howard and Clarke were taken on a tour of the Harare Sports Club at their request.

“I have heard great things about how fantastic this ground is and I would not have wanted to leave before I got the chance to see it for myself,” said Howard.

It was supposed to be a formality that the former Australian Prime Minister would be approved by at least seven of the ICC’s 10 Test-playing nations to take on a two-year term as vice-president, becoming president of the game’s world governing body in 2012.

The ICC had asked Australia and New Zealand to put forward a joint nomination in February, as it was the turn of those two cricket boards under the ICC’s rotational policy.

However Howard’s attacks on Zimbabwe during his Prime Ministerial days and his criticism of Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralidaran’s controversial bowling action have led to some nations including Zimbabwe’s neighbouring country South Africa questioning Howard’s appointment.

A lack of support from the influential Indian board could lead to at least six nations voting against Howard, including Sri Lanka at next week’s ICC annual conference.

Howard’s problems in winning the ICC vote come after discontent in New Zealand earlier this year when Howard was eventually chosen ahead of the Kiwi candidate Sir John Anderson, a former NZ Cricket chairman.
The ICC meeting, usually held in London, has been shifted to Singapore.

Zimbabwe Cricket president Peter Chingoka is banned from travelling to Australia, the United Kingdom and the European Union over his links with the Zimbabwe government.

Next year Australia is set to host a Zimbabwean team for the first time since 2003, following a meeting between Cricket Australia and Coltart.

In keeping with Zimbabwe’s plans for gradual re-engagement with the cricket community, any series will be played between “A” teams from the two countries.

However, this still represents a major step for the African nation after years of sanctions and international condemnation.