Sydney, June 30 : Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has reportedly failed in his bid to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) Vice-President.

The ICC executive board, currently meeting in Singapore, was expected to announce its official decision on Thursday, but it is believed that six of 10 Test-playing countries have rejected Howard's candidacy.

He required the support of at least seven nations to earn the job.

Howard's only supporters were Australia, New Zealand and England, reinforcing the power of the Afro-Asia vote in world cricket, The Australian reports.

Zimbabwe, which had been one of Howard's most vocal opponents, did not sign the letter.

Under a rotational five-region electoral process, Howard was the joint candidate from Australia and New Zealand.

The ICC Vice-President serves a two-year apprenticeship before becoming president of the game's organising body.

If elected, Howard would have been the top administrator of cricket in 2012.

Earlier, it was reported that South Africa and Sri Lanka were not keen for Howard to assume the role, while Zimbabwe was uncommitted.

The Indian board had not made its intentions public, but it was a given fact that whichever way they vote, the Pakistan and Bangladesh boards will follow.

Cricket Australia had told their Zimbabwean counterparts that if they do not support Howard's bid they would not host the bilateral A-series next year that would help the African nation re-enter top level Test cricket.

Howard's defeat leaves the future of the vacant vice-presidency uncertain, though the it is being said that former New Zealand board chairman Sir John Anderson might be put forward as a more acceptable candidate. (ANI)