New Zealand Cricket deny Howard snub over ICC vice-president role

MELBOURNE - New Zealand cricket chief Justin Vaughan has said that there are plans to invite former Australian premier John Howard as a special guest at the NZC meeting in May, and refuted reports about snubbing the ICC vice-president nominee.

The Dominion Post report claimed on Tuesday that New Zealand Cricket rejected an approach last month from Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland for Howard to meet Kiwi cricket executives during the first Test in Wellington, which ended yesterday.

Vaughan replied that Howard’s visit would be pointless in an official capacity because the NZC board could not be convened to meet him.

It is understood the request was aimed at easing tensions between Australian and Kiwi cricket powerbrokers after respected New Zealand official Sir John Anderson lost the presidency vote to Howard.

Vaughan denied that the NZC had snubbed Howard. He said plans were afoot to invite the former politician to the organisation’s next board meeting in May to help iron out any differences.

“Some people have jumped to conclusions. It’s a long bow to suggest we have snubbed John Howard,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Vaughan, as saying.

“We have a good relationship with Cricket Australia. John Howard has a bit of learning to do to get up to speed [with cricket administration] and hopefully we can help him in that regard,” he added.

Former Kiwi Test bowler Simon Doull captured the sentiment of many New Zealanders when he said Anderson was a superior choice to Howard.

“In my eyes, Sir John has far more cricket knowledge and background, whereas John Howard has more of a political background,” he said. (ANI)