Howard was not suitable says Zimbabwe Cricket chief Peter Chingoka

Zimbabwe Cricket chief Peter Chingoka refuted suggestions that Howard was rejected because of his past criticism of the Robert Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. "That is an excuse that has been used because of the denial of the reasons given (to Howard and the countries), because it's a convenient excuse," he said.

"If I stand against you in an election for an organisation one of us has to win and the other one has to live with it."

Chingoka believed Howard was not a suitable vice-president candidate. "There is a lot of talent in Australia and New Zealand. I could give you at least six names from Australia who have been on the Australian board or the board of the ICC who are very competent and would be immediately suitable, I can give you two or three names from New Zealand who would be immediately suitable," he told The Age.