体坛英语新闻：Australian former PM stands firm after International Cricket Council snub

"The two bodies have faithfully followed a rigorous procedure and put somebody forward in good faith and that procedure has just been ignored, swept aside.

"I'm doubly disappointed because they haven't given me any reason. It's quite unacceptable for a reason not to be given."

Howard conceded the rebuff could be because of political decisions he had made in the past, including his treatment of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

"All I can say in relation to Robert Mugabe is that if that is the reason I wear the negative attitude as a badge of honor because I don't apologize in any way for the criticism I offer of the Mugabe regime," Howard told Sky News.

"If it was in some way based on past political reasons then that is a very bad precedent to be establishing for the ICC because there are serving politicians holding positions of authority within the ICC.

"I'm not criticizing that but I'm just drawing attention to it. "

Speaking from Singapore last night, Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke said he was "pretty gutted, frustrated and incredibly disappointed".

Howard's refusal to back down and the anger expressed by the Australian and New Zealand cricket boards suggested they may renominate Howard.

"We remain convinced it is reasonable for his nomination to be supported by the ICC executive board and we are deeply disappointed by the position taken at the meeting," Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile, Former International Cricket Council boss Malcolm Speed told ABC on Thursday the world cricket's governing body has insulted Australia and New Zealand by blocking former Prime Minister John Howard's vice-presidential bid.

John Winston Howard was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from March 11, 1996 to Dec. 3, 2007.