Cricket Australia will back New Zealand Cricket chairman Alan Isaac for the two countries' joint nomination for the vacant ICC vice president position. Cricket Australia (CA) have declined to put forward a new candidate after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's bid but the authority will support New Zealand's nominee, albeit reluctantly. “We still have been given no official reason why a strongly credentialed candidate of Mr. Howard's qualifications was not supported,” CA Chairman Jack Clarke said in a statement Friday. “Our directors were today very strongly of the view that Mr. Howard continues to be the best candidate CA could nominate. We are not prepared to suggest another candidate. “But given it is clear Mr. Howard will not be supported, we clearly have to consider a new approach.” Clarke insisted Isaac would be an excellent alternative to Howard. Isaac is set to become ICC vice president for a two-year term before taking over as president. ICC appointed Sharad Pawar as its new president earlier this month and asked Australia and New Zealand to submit a new candidate by Aug. 31.
