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Filed under: Cricket, Icc, John Howard, Sport

151 comments

The Kiwis are sputting chups this morning about John Howard being put forward for the spot of Deputy President of the International Cricket Council, with the likelihood he’ll take over the top job in 2012.

Will he keep his eye on the ball?

The New Zealand Herald this morning lamented: “Cricket: ‘Fan’ with no cricket experience gets top job.” The paper wondered what “Australian heavying” went on behind closed doors to secure Howard over NZC Chairman Sir John Anderson.

On AM this morning the former Prime Minister, now 70, mounted an understated defense of his credentials for the role.

“I don’t know that I have a lack of background in the game,” he said. “I don’t come to the game as having been a champion player or a previous administrator, but there aren’t too many champion players and I think most people know what I’ve been doing with my spare time up until now.”

I would have thought 12 years of diplomatic experience would trump a great batting average when picking someone to steer cricket through its current dramas.

Between terror threats against players, barnies over who makes what cash out of the game and constant battles over coverage and access rights, being ICC President won’t be all cucumber sandwiches in the Members’ stand.

It hardly matters that Howard’s no Don Bradman does it?

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Most commented

431Australia, you have nothing to fear but fear itself

390There's no one Thomson won't burn to save his skin

336Animal experiments won't cure me from cancer

313Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking

266Who murdered the Arts degree?

246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...

231South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.

231Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...

151 comments

Show oldest | newest first

- Richard Ryan says:
  
  05:21am | 06/03/10
  
  John Howard’s attitude is ’ just not cricket’! Be Alert, Be Alarmed.
  
  Reply
- Drew (Darlinghurst) says:
  
  05:29pm | 04/03/10
  
  Isnt he DEAD yet ????? hmmmmm
  
  I say bung the old man in a Nursing Home and throw away the key.
  
  and as for Cricket….. Cant Bat ......Cant Bowl. NEXT!!!!!!
  
  Reply
- Mr Pastry says:
  
  04:45pm | 04/03/10
  
  Cricket Deserves him
  
  Reply
- Dad. says:
  
  09:00am | 04/03/10
  
  Not qualified. He may one day ban cricket bats as they can be dangerous weapons in the wrong hands, although he did once say he wasn’t a banner of things and there would be no GST, so he also tells fibbies. Asentioned above Stanley Bruce and John Howard both have something in common,they were the only two Prime Minister’s that lost their seat during an election and they both lost their seats and their elections for the same reasons. Some pollies never learn.
  
  Reply
- Henry says:
  
  08:38am | 04/03/10
  
  Coz the Kiwi’s know SOOOO much about cricket!!!
  
  Hahahahaha!
  
  Go Johnny!
  
  Reply
Henry says:

10:24am | 05/03/10

Yeah, its difficult to know much about cricket in New Zealand - its 5 years since Australia gave us a decent game!

Good luck to the yellow-shirts on the Sunday game though. (I mean, good luck controlling their tantrums!) Hopefully they will have learned their lesson now - i.e. you don’t come across as the sharpest tool in the shed by walking up and headbutting someone who’s wearing a helmet!!! The yellow-shirts should stick to what they do best - verbal abuse. Sorry, you call that sledging - I mean sleeeeedging - don’t you?
- TG says:
  
  08:23am | 04/03/10
  
  Can you really remember when what New Zealand thinks ever really mattered?
  
  Reply
- Christian Real says:
  
  07:12am | 04/03/10
  
  Anyone that really loved the game of cricket and enjoyed watching it would not put Howard in as Deputy President of International Cricket.
  And there were better Prime Minister’s than Howard in Australia’s history, those Liberal supporters need to take off their rose coloured glasses.
  I seem to recall that Stanley Bruce and John Howard both have something in common,they were the only two Prime Minister’s that lost their seat during an election.
  
  Reply
- Portal says:
  
  07:13am | 04/03/10
  
  Hilarious. And we all remember how natural he is at cricket…hehehe
  
  Reply
- Rob says:
  
  07:06am | 04/03/10
  
  International Cricket is no longer run at the behest of crust old white men, so unless John Howard magically morphs into a South Asian, he’s not going to be “running cricket” anytime soon.
  
  Reply
- David Ettridge says:
  
  06:58am | 04/03/10
  
  A perfect match. The worlds most boring game and the worlds most boring and uncharasmatic dope to run it.
  
  Reply
- Christian Real says:
  
  06:48am | 04/03/10
  
  Does this mean that Howard will be able to use his taxpayer funded gold pass to travel with the cricket teams? Now that he has got another job perhaps he should hand back those taxpayer benefits that he still receives even though he is no longer Prime Minister.
  The Australian cricket team is on a winning streak at the moment, but that appears it could rapidly change now that Howard could become Deputy President of the International Cricket Council.
  Also, no wonder the Kiwi’s are upset with the announcement, they might fear that Howard will bring in the ‘workchoices laws’ and the ‘anti-terrorism laws’ into the International cricket..
  
  Reply
- Samuel says:
  
  06:37am | 04/03/10
  
  John Howard is considerably more qualified than John Anderson from NZ. Both are passionate supporters of the game, not players. Both have similar knowledge of the game. But Howard has had experience as the 2nd longest serving Prime Minister of Australia which is much more relevant than being a bank executive in New Zealand.
  
  Reply
- Jools says:
  
  06:33am | 04/03/10
  
  Well he couldn’t run the country so I guess he’ll botch this one too.
  
  Reply
- Rick Eyre says:
  
  06:16am | 04/03/10
  
  All you need to do is look at Howard’s approach to foreign policy. If the ICC hasn’t split in two before he takes the chair, he may well be the president to do it.
  
  Reply
- Hal says:
  
  01:49am | 04/03/10
  
  You ask the wrong group.
  Ask the Poms, Pakis, West Indians, and the ordinary ones, the South Africans and other playing groups. We know what the Kiwis think already. Bad Move Johnny, but then cricketers are gentle folk,- ask any opening batsman.
  
  Reply
- BAH! says:
  
  10:50pm | 03/03/10
  
  Not taking any personal politica opinion into account, surely he does not require the money for his ‘retirement’ as his generous superannuation package would certainly be comfortable enough… At 70, I think he needs to watch the cricket.
  
  However, the ICC is a political & corporate conglomeration, so who better than someone whod privatised Australian Taxpayer assets for profit?
  
  Reply
BAH! says:

05:26pm | 04/03/10

@ Adam Diver

So he’s doing it for free and donating the money? Of course he’s doing it for the money
Adam Diver says:

08:16am | 04/03/10

As if he does it for the money. Thats exactly why he should do it as he should have no vested interest (in theory).
- cybacaT says:
  
  10:10pm | 03/03/10
  
  Well he was the best PM this country ever had, so he’ll probably be the best head the ICC has ever had. The guy has some serious runs on the board that can’t be denied.
  
  Reply
- Ben says:
  
  10:09pm | 03/03/10
  
  Since when do we care what the kiwis think?
  
  Reply
Henry says:

10:11am | 05/03/10

Seems a few of you australians have some latent anger problems. Normally that comes about from a lack of physical performance, if you know what I mean, or perhaps a parent that didn’t love you as a child. I can recommend a good therapist in Sydney Ben, if you like. She’s very good - she’s a Kiwi
DocBud says:

11:16pm | 03/03/10

Absodamnlutely, they’re the Welsh of the southern hemisphere.
- John McArger says:
  
  10:06pm | 03/03/10
  
  If he can run Australia for over a decade, I think he can run Cricket.
  
  Reply
- Martin says:
  
  09:42pm | 03/03/10
  
  When did running an organisation require the need to play a particular sport?
  Howard, if anything, is over-qualified for the job.
  
  Reply
- mitch says:
  
  07:47pm | 03/03/10
  
  if johny runs it when is peter costellos named going to be thrown in as his deputy?
  
  Reply
- Daniel says:
  
  07:42pm | 03/03/10
  
  Howard runing cricket? He took Australia back 20 years.He will do the same to cricket too.
  
  Reply
Amy Brunner says:

09:49pm | 03/03/10

And just how did John Howard take Australia back 20 years.

Just smart alex unsupported comments from the “rusted-on” ALP or are you part of the bitter and twisted RENT-A-CROWD.

You sound a little like a woman I used to work with who used to say “I hate Howard” but could never tell me why….
- Frankie V. says:
  
  06:13pm | 03/03/10
  
  It’s poetic justice: Lil’ Tony Albanese stopped him getting the top job at the National Rugby League and now Krudd is going to have to sit next to him every time he goes to the cricket.
  
  The real question should be, is former AFL footballer, Justin Madden, qualified for the Victorian parliament? What sort of meathead puts down in writing his intentions to run a fake consultation process?
  
  Reply
- Sam says:
  
  06:11pm | 03/03/10
  
  He should be in jail not getting perks.
  
  Reply
Frankie V. says:

08:04pm | 05/03/10

I remember the Great Debate of 1996, when Ray Martin asked Keating and Howard what the price of bread was, and Keating couldn’t answer. At the time the local Vietnamese were selling loaves for $1.00 - $1.10. Now their selling them for $1.40 - $1.50.

So Fabian, the price of bread didn’t go up by “over 100%.” And while the rich got richer, everyone else did too:

“”“However, the pie itself grew massively over those 12 years. The bureau estimates all income groups became substantially better off, with incomes for those in the broad middle growing by 52 to 54 per cent. Income for those at the bottom grew 46 per cent.”“”
Fabian says:

12:02am | 04/03/10

@Amy Brunner go read my earlier post then show me some facts to dispute what I wrote. Howard paid off the debt that was created by over-spending that was created after Fraser let the place run into the ground. He paid off that debt by again reducing expenditure on infrastructure and moving more of the tax burden from those who make the most - the corporations - to those who do the most - the workers, through the fantastic GST that saw prices double while all but the top 10% of income earners went backwards in real dollar terms. It’s the cycle of politics in this country. The Libs won’t spend enough and Labor spend too much. Each of them overreacts to the other’s “mess”.

All of this though is irrelevant. His ability or lack thereof as a cricketer, or Prime Minister, has got no bearing whatsoever on this position. He’s a good politician and that’s what is needed to deal with all the crap in the cricket hierarchy, so he should do the job well.
Amy Brunner says:

10:02pm | 03/03/10

Who should be in jail, John Howard, for what?

John Howard and Peter Costello, paid off the Hawke / Keating $96 billion debt, and left us with $21 billion in the bank.

On the average, lower interest rates & lower un-employment than under the Hawke / Keating Government.

Work Choices was not a bad thing, it was not replaced by the Rudd Government till 2 years after the 2007 election, why do you think that Australia has faired so well through the Global Financial Crisis?

Could it be that the landscape of the Australian Industrial Relations was such a flexible domain and that there was money in the bank and no debt, that maybe, just maybe, that was why we Australia has faired so well.

Back up your mindless venomous spits with some substance.
BTS says:

08:24pm | 03/03/10

For what?
- Dr.Dingo says:
  
  06:12pm | 03/03/10
  
  Absolutely a fantastic choice. Although his stroke hasnt been with the willow, he does have the proverbical stroke and I believe he is a Cricket Tragic and will be great for the game (however I do believe an aplology to Murli may be in order
  
  Reply
- M Cooke says:
  
  05:39pm | 03/03/10
  
  If John Howard runs the World cricket as half as good as he ran our country ,this man will be an absolute winner, the best Prime Minister Australia has ever had.
  
  Reply
- Public Record says:
  
  05:28pm | 03/03/10
  
  Ritchie, he won’t be paying for any ICC travel either, I bet - it’ll all go on his retired PMs Gold Pass and *we* will pay it.
  
  Retired PMs should dmaned well stay retired.
  
  And no, he’s not qualified to be either President or Deputy President of the ICC. Give the damned job to someone who a) can do it and b) needs it.
  
  Reply
- Ritchie says:
  
  04:58pm | 03/03/10
  
  I’m amazed that most of the posters above have swallowed the myth of Howard as “Australia’s no. 1 cricket tragic”. This is the man who wouldn’t have paid to see a cricket match in his life. His bowling effort in Pakistan is ample evidence, if any is needed, that the majority of his childhood and adolescence was spent in the library studying law and politics. The so-called cricket tragic tag was an invention which, like the green and yellow tracksuit and studied expression of pained humility, was designed to portray the tricky lawyer as a “man of the people” and suck up to the working class. Would love to quiz the rat on how much he really knows about the game.
  
  Reply
Henry says:

08:44am | 04/03/10

Well Ritchie… how about your beloved Kevin Rudd??

On ABC radio, during the first test between Austrlian and India, Rudd told the story of his first Test cricket experience as a 17-year-old who had come to town by train to stand on the Hill at The Gabba in Brisbane to watch Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in full flight against the English.

Rudd remembered the chant “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must,” but mostly he remembered 42-year-old Colin Cowdrey - called to duty from England to halt the carnage - walking onto the field and going up to Thomson to shake the hand of the man who was going to hurt him.

On ABC radio, during the first test between Austrlian and India, Rudd told the story of his first Test cricket experience as a 17-year-old who had come to town by train to stand on the Hill at The Gabba in Brisbane to watch Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in full flight against the English.

Rudd remembered the chant “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must,” but mostly he remembered 42-year-old Colin Cowdrey - called to duty from England to halt the carnage - walking onto the field and going up to Thomson to shake the hand of the man who was going to hurt him.

THE TRUTH

Firstly, the saying “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get you, then Lillee must” was never chanting in public at the grounds.

Secondly, Colin Cowdrey never played in the Brisbane Test. He did not face the Australians until the Perth Test!

Just another stone-cold lie from your hero to go along with all the others about his past.
- Anthony says:
  
  04:34pm | 03/03/10
  
  So, he’s Deputy President now, and set to become President in 2012. Therefore, expect a challenge from Howard for the top job next year.
  
  Reply
- Jimmy.G says:
  
  04:19pm | 03/03/10
  
  John Howards credentials for this position are to be found at grass roots level ,that is he licked the boots and other areas of Australian Cricketers phsiology that some DNA must have been passed and therefore made him a fitting choice.LOL Even Kevin Rudd can bowl a leggie to a Schoolkid and get him out ,when John Howard bowled for the cameras he hit his own foot with the ball,he is as suited to this as Target Pistol shooting ,if Jeanette says its cool That Is.!!!
  
  Reply
- Jeff says:
  
  04:11pm | 03/03/10
  
  A man with great talent and double the energy of people a third his age. You won’t see John sitting back, he’ll be pushing for the improvement and progress of cricket. Whether you vote for him or not, you have to admit the man can get a job done.
  On the war front, what would we have all thought if the West did nothing while the next Holocaust/Dafur took place?
  
  Reply
Adam Diver says:

08:12am | 04/03/10

You cant win Jeff. Oh no we started war against a country training terrorist, run by a dictatorship which oppressed its people and has a history of invading other countries. How dare we.

What is the alternative. Continue to stick your head in the sand while atrocities are committed in the rest of the world. Lets keep sending aid and working on diplmacy in africa. That works
- A Coburn says:
  
  04:08pm | 03/03/10
  
  Howard knows what he is doing especially with all the politics involved in the ICC. Good luck to you John Howard.
  
  Reply
- John Orkanger says:
  
  03:33pm | 03/03/10
  
  Mark does not seem to understand why John Howard has war criminal credentials…You see Howard Bush Blair propagated an unprovoked war of aggression agains Iraq.
  Rudd ,much to his shame,is under the UN umbrella.
  Do your homework Mark there is a difference.
  Even if you do not understand this…others do.
  
  Reply
- Mike says:
  
  03:30pm | 03/03/10
  
  John Howard is the wrong person for this job. He is retired and should stay retired.
  This sort of position should go to a person who has played cricket for their country NOT an ex politician, who really does’nt have a clue.
  
  Reply
Adam Diver says:

08:08am | 04/03/10

@ Mark I have to disagree with you David Gallop is a remarkable sports administator particularly considering the tumoils facing league in the last decade. Started as a lawyer and highly doubt he could tackle an 80 year old women.

But ex-players are peope serious? Perhaps they should be involvedon a consultancy basis but good administrators do that anyway
Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:26pm | 03/03/10

@ Mike: “John Howard is the wrong person for this job. He is retired and should stay retired.”: Why should John Howard stay retired? Just to suit you? He is as entitled as you or anyone else to take up another life challenge. Contrary to your claim, he really “does have” a clue. Your bias slip is showing!
Mark says:

05:16pm | 03/03/10

Why should it go to an ex player? The best sports administrator in the world is the NBA’s David Stern (Ok, in my opinion), and he didn’t play one minute of hoops at that level. He is an ex-lawyer with cutting edge vision, a man who is about a decade ahead of most bosses.
- Julie Coker-Godson says:
  
  02:56pm | 03/03/10
  
  Just because John Howard was a former Liberal Prime Minister of Australia does not mean he cannot be considered or appointed to positions of this kind. You would have to have been living under a rock on Mars not to know that he is Australia’s “First Cricket Tragic”. His knowledge of the game and, through his experience in politics generally, will be a great filip to what will be a challenging role especially in relation to security issues for players. The New Zealanders and those of his political adversaries who are unable to congratulate him on this new path in his life are just jealous!
  
  Reply
- Shane says:
  
  02:46pm | 03/03/10
  
  Can’t bowl, can’t throw.
  
  Reply
- Jimbo says:
  
  02:36pm | 03/03/10
  
  Yeah Howard was such a ‘brilliant’ economic manager it took the ALP to fix the parlous state of Aussie infrastructure to save us from recession. You can shove that kind of brilliance
  
  Reply
Adam Diver says:

08:05am | 04/03/10

@ Fabian

House Prices = State governement
Fabian says:

10:07pm | 03/03/10

@Macca you need to go check some actual facts about the insulation mate. There were nearly as many house fires caused by poor installation in the preceding year without the thousands of additional homes being done.

@Mark yer, the fantastic economic management that saw the price of nearly everything increase by over 100% from the time he got in until he was ousted because of the awesome GST. The kind that saw average incomes increase substantially for the top 10% of income earners yet go backwards in real dollar terms for everyone else. The type of economic management that saw house prices more than double during his term. Fantastic economic management - if you’re one of the “haves”...
Mark says:

03:33pm | 03/03/10

Well done Jimbo. Award for the comment with the least bit of thought or truth to it goes to you pal.
Enjoy.
Mark says:

03:19pm | 03/03/10

Ah Jimbo, most infrastructure is a state government responsibility. So yes, the Labor governments failed dismally there, I agree.
Macca says:

02:57pm | 03/03/10

“Fix the parlous state”...?

by building identical School halls and burning down people’s houses with crap insulation?

Good one
JR says:

02:56pm | 03/03/10

What are you on about?
- Mark says:
  
  02:10pm | 03/03/10
  
  I am thinking if Howard is appointed to the ICC, this will be the end of Paul Keating. First Keating loses to a man he held in contempt and thought was no competition, then Howard blows him away with his brilliant economic management. All the while post-PM Keating becomes Mr Irrelevant, no one is knocking down his door, he becomes a sad figure walking the streets of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Post-PM Howard? Off to run international cricket! Oh you can see a scowling Keating sitting in the shadows throwing back the drinks one after the other now ...
  
  Reply
- Seano says:
  
  02:05pm | 03/03/10
  
  A resounding no. And not just because I despise the man. As a pollie he never put the common good above the self interest or the interests of his party. World cricket needs more than just an experienced administrator it needs someone with fresh and new ideas. Not someone who knows more than how to get re-elected.
  
  Reply
- AFR says:
  
  01:57pm | 03/03/10
  
  If they are looking for a deaf man in his 70s, can I nominate my father? He loves cricket, and is/was rubbish at it.
  
  Reply
- stephen says:
  
  01:55pm | 03/03/10
  
  Indeed he is, and it’ll keep him away from politics.
  
  Reply
- Graeme says:
  
  01:47pm | 03/03/10
  
  Can’t Bat…Can’t Bowl
  
  Reply
- Manaphy says:
  
  01:02pm | 03/03/10
  
  I think he’d better than Ruddy or Garrett at it. Let’s just how it works
  
  Reply
- Ted says:
  
  01:02pm | 03/03/10
  
  A politician old-fox from the old school of politics, ideally suited to the old-style politics of the ICC. Who needs a 50 batting average to deal with those international twits? Remember they derailed umpire Hair’s career? So horses for courses I say. (Howard is no twit either.) And Ian Chappell needs to shut up and retire gracefully to the foothills where dinosaurs like him belong.
  
  Reply
- Grasshopper says:
  
  12:59pm | 03/03/10
  
  I say let him - it’ll keep his boring face off our TV screens, and if not hopefully we’ll get more footage of his great bowling skills. Finally the rest of the world can enjoy the sheer venal banality we Australians put up with for so many years!
  If the Kiwis really feel upset they could enter Helen Clark in a beauty pageant, it’d be just as fitting.
  
  Reply
- Radical Chick says:
  
  12:48pm | 03/03/10
  
  Well done for Howard! It is indeed a great fit for the job!
  Cheers!
  
  Reply
- Zeta says:
  
  12:44pm | 03/03/10
  
  I can’t see how this could even be up for debate. JWH ran the biggest economy in the Pacific for some 13 years, he won elections that had bigger budgets than the ICC’s. And at 70, I reckon he’s probably fitter than me. I haven’t worn a tracksuit since year 9.
  
  In politics, like in anything, you don’t hate the man you hate the job. Hating Howard as PM isn’t an excuse to hate him now. He’s not the PM anymore. He won’t be giving you an AWA. He won’t invade any countries. He’s just an old bloke, pivitol in Australia’s modern history, who’s just knocked off his memoirs, realised he’s not going to be dieing anytime soon and realised he’s bored.
  
  Howard is pretty much living, on a slightly grander scale, the ordinary life of every Australian. He’s worked his arse off in a thankless job for fifty years and now he’s retiring, realising modern medicine is going to keep him alive longer than anticipated, so he’s doing something he loves. That’s all any of us can hope for.
  
  So good on him.
  
  Reply
Frankie V. says:

05:38pm | 03/03/10

“”“he’s not going to be dieing anytime soon”“”

Indeed, he’ll outlive most of his lentil eating critics.
- Richard Ryan says:
  
  12:38pm | 03/03/10
  
  Silly old me! And I thinking John Howard a former lawyer, was to become President of the ICC,(International Criminal Court) For the record Howard is the man who plunged Australia into the Iraqi war, at the behest of George Bush. Watch for more action in world cricket, if Howard’s name is on the list. Be alert, be alarmed——-for terrorist attacks!
  
  Reply
Mark says:

02:06pm | 03/03/10

... and Kevin Rudd has kept us in the war, so what is your point?
- Tony D says:
  
  12:35pm | 03/03/10
  
  Amazing. Cricket Australia is has just alienated half the Australian population at a time when traditional cricket is DYING A SLOW DEATH.
  Fools!
  
  Reply
- Robert Scott says:
  
  12:30pm | 03/03/10
  
  Who cares what the Kiwis think? They have ridden on our backs too long for Australian to really care what they think or do. John Howard will do a great job with the ICC and will do Australia (not New Zealand) proud.
  
  Reply
Henry Fraser says:

09:16pm | 03/03/10

What a wonderful contribution to society you are Robert. You are speeeting cheeeps yourself here aren’t you? I’m picturing a red-faced, pot-bellied, peroxide high-lighted blonde—not that I’m in to national stereotypes or anything.

p.s. as a little exercise, how about checking the statistics on what percentage of the NZ population is Australian, vs the other way around.

p.p.s. of course John Howard won’t do New Zealand proud! Duh. I’d be surprised if the “Little Whinger” does Australia proud either!
- Harold says:
  
  12:30pm | 03/03/10
  
  Whatever your Political Persuasion this has to be a good decision, all this baloney about having to have played the game at the highest level to be able to make decisions for the betterment of that sport is really starting to wear thin with me.
  Cricket is obviously John Howard’s passion and with his proven diplomatic skills and reputation I support his appointment.
  
  Reply
- Megan says:
  
  12:19pm | 03/03/10
  
  It’s not like he can make the game any more boring!
  
  Reply
- john orkanger says:
  
  12:15pm | 03/03/10
  
  The ACB must be Liberal Party supporters.
  John Howard has serious credentials as a war criminal.
  Nothing much surprises me any more…even this travesty!
  
  Reply
Mark says:

02:06pm | 03/03/10

... since our troops are still there, then Kevin Rudd must have the same credentials, John.
- toaster says:
  
  11:59am | 03/03/10
  
  in the earlier days we used to see a home series in australia with home umpires giving dubious decisions in favour of the home team. With howard we will have that happening anywhere in the world if australia is playing irrespective of the umpire standing in. anyone will be called chuckers (no balled I mean, since howard doesnt know the tech term), and more over if the aussies cant play them ( aka murali syndrome), sledging will take its perfect route to the peak and words like monkey will be termed rude. And guess what, Darrel Hair will be the head of the ICC panel of umpires, the IPL will move to australia with a few indian players in it, and most of all, he will not say SORRY, for what ever happens in world cricket
  
  Reply
- Saad says:
  
  11:55am | 03/03/10
  
  John Howards rates second to only…ehhhh Sachin tendulkar… or was it Bradman… hmmmm
  
  Reply
- Paddy says:
  
  11:55am | 03/03/10
  
  Looks like I have two years left to watch a game I love.
  The day little Johnny takes over is the day cricket will not be watched in our house and I am not on my own.
  The powers to be have made a grave mistake here…appaling
  
  Reply
susie says:

09:30pm | 05/03/10

...and you can’t spell, either. Sad.
Brian B says:

04:23pm | 03/03/10

What a sad attitude you have, Paddy.
Jason says:

03:21pm | 03/03/10

Well and truly alone. If you really loved the game, it wouldn’t make a whit of difference who is in charge of the administration because it’s about the sport and the contest, not the management.
Mark says:

02:04pm | 03/03/10

Actually Paddy, I think you are on your own.
- BigKev says:
  
  11:42am | 03/03/10
  
  Johnny will antagonise all terrorists around the world and Australia will become a bigger target.
  
  Reply
- John T says:
  
  11:16am | 03/03/10
  
  C L R James the left-wing West Indian historian/journalist/social commentator and cricket tragic http://bit.ly/d9GIO9 once asked “What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?”
  
  I’ve rarely agreed with Mr Howard’s political views yet I believe he’s a very good nominee for the ICC position. His high profile (how well known outside his country was the NZ nominee?) , his experience and, yes, his skills (despite some past comments which may not have been forgotten in Asia http://bit.ly/bTdClm) should help him make a significant contribution to dealing with (and perhaps even resolving some) of the major challenges, eg match fixing, scheduling, future of Tests, which international cricket faces.
  
  Reply
- formersnag says:
  
  11:16am | 03/03/10
  
  NO. Just as any former pollie would be useless. Except for the “Australian Democrats” there have not been any decent honest, politicians in Australia for decades.
  
  Reply
- Lucy says:
  
  10:57am | 03/03/10
  
  In my experience great teachers don’t necessarily make good headmasters, some of the best tennis coaches were not necessarily the best players, and there are more than a few outspoken celebrities that don’t actually advance or improve the social fabric of our society when they actually try to enter politics.
  
  John Howard, whatever you think of him, was a very effective politician for 33 years (serving nearly 12 of those as PM). He’s seen basically everything you could see in an organisation - disunity, backstabbing, undermining, lack of public acceptance, poor policy, poor PR etc etc - and has been responsible for uniting a team, bringing it together and gaining public support.
  
  Surely, even putting “cricket” aside for a moment, this is the task ahead for him at the ICC. The organisation is lacking authority and relevance. Sounds like the Liberal Party in 1994.
  
  Who else could you get with the experience to turn it around?
  
  Reply
- Rod says:
  
  10:54am | 03/03/10
  
  What an absolute Joke !! We all know who will be running it should this eventuate, Janette !! We kicked these pair of pompous fools out of Government in Australia, and now Cricket Australia wants to reincarnate them ! Shame on you ! Shound this happen I will forever ban cricket from my sports.
  
  Reply
Amy Brunner says:

09:47pm | 03/03/10

@Rod,

“We kicked these pair of pompous fools out of Government in Australia”

(and in doing so we the Australian people failed the IQ test, and voted into the highest post in this land the Quintessential Bureaucrat.)

You, Rod, sound like one of 52% of Australians who behaved like 9 year olds and voted for ice cream in 2007. Or are you just another ALP member who can’t give credit where credit is due.

Like most “rusted on” ALP voters, can’t stand to see the man who gave 35 years of his working life to serving this country, a go at continuing to serve and be productive. (Oh! I forget the catch cry of the ALP was that Howard was old and tired ~ which is about what your Kevin Rudd looks like these days, and he has only been in parliment less than a third of the time and PM for less than a fifth of the time John Howard)

But you probably on the other hand see nothing wrong with Beazley, a three time looser at becoming PM being given a Over-Paid position. You do realise, don’t you that ex Queensland Premier Beattie is now in LA on a over $300,000-00 a year salary (plus exps, plus home, plus, plus, plus…. Beazley is the Ambassador to the USA.

As for your petty remark about Janette ~ John Howard, is an honourable man, who happens to have a lovely woman as his wife who supports him in all that he does.
- nic says:
  
  10:39am | 03/03/10
  
  There are certain ironies that exist in politics. When Howard was PM the leftist press brayed “what will Asia think of us’ and trotted out the outright lie that Asia would not deal with Australia. During Howard’s term as PM, the opposite ocurred with Australia’s relationship with both the Indian sub-continent and SE Asian nations largely improving. Compare this to Rudd’s present record, which is a shambles in terms of diplomacy with Asian nations.
  
  My point is don’t discredit Howard just because he has never played the game, his love for cricket is genuine as are his good relations with countries within the cricketing world. He has experience as both a diplomat and an administrator and understands political processes behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be writing him off at all.
  
  Reply
- Tony H says:
  
  10:35am | 03/03/10
  
  LOL the Kiwi’s doubt it? Reminds me of the old joke:
  
  How do you start up a small business? - Put a Kiwi in charge of a large one.
  
  I would dare say that Howard could probably run anything better than any Kiwi.
  
  Reply
Adam Diver says:

07:55am | 04/03/10

Whoa where did all the humour go. Geez guys take a step back and have a laugh.
Christian Real says:

06:54am | 04/03/10

FromKIWiLand, 12.02PM 03/03/10
It’s not all aussies that makes jokes like that, it’s only the Liberal imbeciles that do.
Henry says:

09:21pm | 03/03/10

Funny, that’s what the rest of the world says about Aussies…
Darth Dibley says:

12:32pm | 03/03/10

That type of comment shows who the real idiots are…. Idiots like John Howard and Tony H
FromKiwiLand says:

11:02am | 03/03/10

Typical aussie comment…
- DougB says:
  
  10:25am | 03/03/10
  
  What the job needed is someone who has a passion for the game, and John Howard fits the bill. While ex-cricketers, might want to favour mates and teams and themselves, it is clear that JH loves the sport in all its forms for what it is.
  
  He is also extremely well placed to deal with the international quagmire, cricket has become, and more then networked enough to know when our players might be at risk from terrorists etc etc.
  
  It’s a good choice and cricket may stablise and recover some of its former glory under Little Johnny.
  
  Reply
redneck junkie says:

11:49am | 03/03/10

well, I love the sport too…
- Long Xuyen says:
  
  10:25am | 03/03/10
  
  What was this man’s rationale for stopping the Singapore Airlines bailout of Ansett years ago? Was it financial or racial? One must first ask what Mr Howard’s attitude to other races is and what evidence there is of his ability to reconcile the attitudes and actions of different cultures. Sadly, it’s not a great record in that respect.
  
  Reply
Frankie V. says:

06:58pm | 03/03/10

Probably the same rationale the Labour government in New Zealand had when they stopped Singapore Airlines increasing their stake in Air New Zealand: it’s a state subsidised enterprise owned by a one party state that masquerades as a multi-party democracy.
Mark says:

11:23am | 03/03/10

What an ignorant comment. Australia has long been the most accepting of countries, certainly there isn’t a country in Asia that comes close to comparing. Multiculturalism in Asia? Puh-lease, the racism in that region is second to none. Asians have enjoyed a wonderful lifestyle in Australia, free to chase opportunities on the same level playing field as all other races. Maybe it is you who should look at your own racial attitudes Long Xuyen, it seems you are living in your own world.
- Heath says:
  
  10:02am | 03/03/10
  
  The man ran a country for christs sake - world cricket is easy mode for him. Administrators dont have ti have been world class players, in fact its better if they aren’t
  
  Reply
- BTS says:
  
  09:56am | 03/03/10
  
  For the record Tory,
  
  His bum does not look big in that photo.
  
  Reply
Tory Maguire says:

11:47am | 03/03/10

Thanks for clearing that up BTS
- Davo from Sydney says:
  
  09:51am | 03/03/10
  
  He has a hsitory of having absolutely no tact with his dealings with India, who hold the money. It also shows that CA has no time for NZC. It will be a very turbulent time in cricket.
  
  Reply
Foob says:

05:44pm | 04/03/10

Haneef ring a bell.
Martin G says:

08:55am | 04/03/10

Davo from Sydney: ‘He has a history of having absolutely no tact with his dealings with India’

Oh was he the PM who refused to sell them uranium, but thinks it’s ok to give some to China?

Name me one time Howard was tactless with India.
Cricket buff :) says:

07:30pm | 03/03/10

Frankie - any wonder you don’t understand. You’re listening to the wrong end.
Frankie V. says:

05:26pm | 03/03/10

Would you care to give an example of one of Howard’s tactless dealings with India, or are you just talking out of your hat?
- nads says:
  
  09:49am | 03/03/10
  
  as my partner commented last night ” does this mean that in future all teams visiting from the subcontinent will have to come to Australia via Christmas Island?”
  
  Reply
TC says:

12:32pm | 03/03/10

No. The way things are going these days Christmas Island will have their own team
- Julia says:
  
  09:43am | 03/03/10
  
  Yeah, I saw a sports commentator on Sky say that Howard wouldn’t be any good because he had no cricket experience.
  
  That’s the sort of rot that has led to the demise of rugby union in Australia. It’s also the train of thought that would see Shane Warne in charge, not a man who’s ran a country pretty well for over a decade.
  
  The cricket powers that be have made a sensible decision.
  
  Reply
- Sky says:
  
  09:38am | 03/03/10
  
  Surely he cant be any worse than the knobs running it at the moment and bowing to every indian demand.
  
  Reply
Sky says:

01:05pm | 03/03/10

Fair call Budz, i just hope Howard shows more balls than current ICC DP.
Sky says:

12:45pm | 03/03/10

@IndiKarma - Doubt it mate, my Mum was born in India. That sort of stupid comment could inflame what is already way out of hand because of people like yourself. Dont be too quick to jump to conclusions, when you dont know all the facts.
Budz says:

12:28pm | 03/03/10

Mate, they are the most powerful board in world cricket by far, why are you surprised? It’s like calling the Aussie Government a knob for backing the US in a conflict.
Sky says:

12:24pm | 03/03/10

@IndiKarma… Def not mate My mum was born in India, dont be too quick to judge.
IndiKarma says:

10:59am | 03/03/10

And here comes the Indian basher….
- Henry says:
  
  09:37am | 03/03/10
  
  Look at Kennett with Hawthorn FC. Both he and Howard were very successful, mover and shaker politicians who have and will be great administrators of whatever they touch.
  
  Former players many times DO NOT naturally make good administrators. They lack many many skills.
  
  Reply
Austin 3:16 says:

04:49pm | 03/03/10

Hey Mick,

And a lot of those players can also be broke at 40
Mick says:

03:36pm | 03/03/10

Oh Kate how it must really burn you up inside to think that some semi-illiterate football player can easily make 3-4 times your salary in a year.
Kate says:

01:23pm | 03/03/10

Like speaking properly when interviewed - especially rugby league players aka dumbos.
- acker says:
  
  09:08am | 03/03/10
  
  @dick j ..Peter Garrett’s great grandfather Tom Garrett was an Australian Test Cricketer..I don’t think any of John Howards decendents were ?
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Garrett
  
  Reply
Rui Sheng says:

05:01pm | 03/03/10

Dear Mrs Malaprop,
Antecedents?
DocBud says:

12:04pm | 03/03/10

“I don’t think any of John Howards decendents (sic) were?” You using a crystal ball, Acker, or are you just a visitor from the future?
- BTS says:
  
  09:06am | 03/03/10
  
  Since when do you have to be qualified at roof insulation to run the program? Is he supposed to turn the screw on every house in Australia?Does that mean the Defence Minister needs to know how to fire all the guns, drive the tank, fly the plane, pilot the submarine? Does the Minister for Arts need to know how to throw a Picasso together or dance the two-step?
  
  Reply
BTS says:

08:20pm | 03/03/10

Jason,

I am not party political so essentially I am amused by the pro-Liberals who say he Howard did a wonderful job and Rudd is going to ruin the country and the pro-Labours say Howard ruined the country and Rudd is doing a wonderful job. To watch both ‘sides’ come here to battle it out and their mentality well it’s entertaining if nothing else. I am sure you are right screws are being turned, we’re all going to hell, Johnny could of fixed it unless Kevin could of first…yada, yada, yada.
Jason says:

03:15pm | 03/03/10

BTS - the Rudd government and it’s policies are already “turning the screws” on every household in the country. Garrett just tried to burn the evidence.
Ray says:

03:11pm | 03/03/10

Bruce, I can give you a solid example after having been at universities for over ten years for different qualifications. The Heads of Schools are typically the most senior research/teaching staff, i.e. Professor So-And-So. Do you know how many of them can MANAGE a school effectively? None that I’ve seen. Let a Professor teach, let a Manager manage.
BTS says:

09:28am | 03/03/10

Ummm Bruce,

The Minister doesn’t actuall do the work…
Bruce says:

09:23am | 03/03/10

Your right BTS. This most probably tells us what is wrong with Australian politics. Imagine if a business operated like this. Lets put someone in charge who has no idea about the product !!
- julie says:
  
  09:05am | 03/03/10
  
  whats wrong with an organisation being run by a passionate supporter and believer of the game? particularly the best aspect of it, Tests! and with all his other experience, why not. surely its only a contract anyway. stop begrudging him. he would have been selected by some people in the know, and done an interview like anyone else you would hope, so the people that picked him must see a benefit.
  
  Reply
Cricket hound says:

08:06pm | 03/03/10

Mal, the fact is, John Howard is enough of a diplomat to know when to pull his head in and when to speak from the heart. How many politicians actually say what they really think? And fact is, Murali IS a chucker! Spade’s a spade…
Mal says:

05:37pm | 03/03/10

Julie..don’t forget this is the same person who called Murali a ‘chucker’. I wonder what his response now would be to same question now? And No I do not think he is the right man for the job since he’s never played any cricket! May be one Ian or Greg Chapell or Alan Border?
Ray says:

12:52pm | 03/03/10

Agreed. Since WHEN was being a top level player of the game necessary to manage it? I am a contractor and in all the companies that I’ve worked in, the BEST choice for a manager has extremely rarely been the person with the most technical competence. They are there to manage, not to play, and as such I see him as being able to give it a pretty good go. (And no, I hated Howard and voted against him, if you’re wondering.)
- Luke says:
  
  08:52am | 03/03/10
  
  Is this man qualified to run world cricket? Yes if you vote Liberal, No if you vote Labor.
  
  Reply
Steph says:

12:45pm | 03/03/10

Labour voter and am really happy that he was selected for the role. Of all his faults, I believe that he is by far and away the best person for the job, politically.
Your name:Dundee says:

12:32pm | 03/03/10

Regardless of how you vote! It’s NO! If you love Cricket.
Rod says:

10:59am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, and a great choice despite his bowling technique.
Rod says:

10:56am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, and a great choice despite his bowling technique.
Chris says:

10:36am | 03/03/10

Labor voter, but i think he’d be an asset to the ICC.
- E says:
  
  08:45am | 03/03/10
  
  its just a sinecure for an old fogey, he wont actually do anything but show up to dinners and collect a cheque
  
  Reply
- dick j says:
  
  08:35am | 03/03/10
  
  Yep.
  If Peter Garrett qualified to run a roof insulation programme Howard must be a walk up start.
  
  Reply
stuie bluie says:

08:14pm | 03/03/10

look in one word…...NO.
Mumma says:

07:26pm | 03/03/10

Cripes, Kevvie got the job of PM on BS (with Hons). Oops or was that a BA.
Jason Smith says:

04:22pm | 03/03/10

You lot and internet comments…
Adam MacLeod says:

03:13pm | 03/03/10

Barnaby Joyce and finance
Rowdy says:

01:43pm | 03/03/10

....ditto Al Gore and climate change…
Stephen says:

01:16pm | 03/03/10

... or if Andrew Bolt is well qualified to talk about climate change.

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