Isaac gets Aussie backing for ICC role

Alan Isaac wants to help restore the International Cricket Council's credibility after the Wellingtonian was all but confirmed as its next president.

The long-running saga appeared at an end last night when Cricket Australia confirmed it wouldn't nominate a replacement for former Prime Minister John Howard, who was rejected by six of the 10 test-playing nations.

Still insisting Howard was the best candidate from the region, CA then backed NZC chairman Isaac's bid, which was put forward by NZC last Friday.

"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," CA said.

The CA board had a telephone hookup yesterday in which it discussed backing Isaac. It noted his strong cricket and sporting administrative background, as well as his business and financial acumen, highlighted by 10 years as chairman of KPMG.

Isaac, who is required to resign as NZC chairman to take on the new role, said it only became an option when Sir John Anderson – who originally lost out to Howard as the region's nominee – made himself unavailable last week. Anderson then encouraged Isaac, 58, to put his name forward.

"One of the biggest issues is that ICC lacks the credibility that it should have as a world governing body of a major sport," Isaac told The Dominion Post.

"I'd like to think I can play my part in improving its reputation and improving the governance."

His candidacy represents a minor victory for NZC, which was irked that Anderson, who appeared a far better-qualified candidate than Howard, was initially passed over.

All it requires now is for the ICC board to approve Isaac, which should be a formality, given his involvement around the ICC table for the past 18 months.

He will initially serve a two-year term as deputy to India's Sharad Pawar before assuming the presidency in 2012.

"NZC was also very disappointed with the rejection of John Howard's nomination by the ICC, but believes Alan Isaac is an outstanding nominee," NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

Isaac said his biggest time commitment was currently to NZC, as well as taking on various business recovery and advisory roles.

He was excited by the prospect of his new role and rejected perceptions of domination at the ICC board table by the Indian-led Asian bloc.

"It's not actually like that. As chairman of KPMG, four times a year I met as part of the Asia-Pacific board so you get a bit used to dealing with people from different countries who approach things differently.

"You just find a way to work through to achieve the common goal."

- © Fairfax NZ News