Anderson's rejection: Another setback for ICC

The International Cricket Council on Saturday received another setback in its search of a new Vice President as New Zealand administrator John Anderson has refused to take up the job.

After rejection of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's candidature last month, the ICC had asked the cricket Boards of Australia and New Zealand to re-nominate a person. 

The New Zealand Cricket checked with Anderson, originally their first choice for the job, but the administrator turned down the offer. 

"In light of ICC's rejection of the nomination of John Howard, I approached Sir John Anderson to assess his availability for the role. Unfortunately Sir John advised me that he is not available to be considered as a possible nominee," NZC Chairman Alan Isaac said in a statement.

"The NZC Board respects Sir John's position and acknowledges the outstanding contribution he has made to game of cricket. We have recommenced discussions with Cricket Australia around a proposed a way forward," he added. 

As per ICC's rotation system, it is New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia's turn to jointly nominate a Vice-President candidate to the ICC. 

Both the boards jointly nominated Howard in February but his candidature was blocked by strong Asian-African bloc and the ICC was forced to drop his nomination. 

To become an ICC Vice President, a candidate needs to secure seven votes in the Executive Board of the world governing body. 

India's Sharad Pawar became the ICC President for a two-year term at the last Executive Board meeting in Singapore last month.