The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rejected former Australian prime minister John Howard's bid for the vice-presidency after a revolt by Asian and African nations.

The ICC has issued a statement saying Mr Howard's nomination did not have sufficient support within the organisation's board.

Mr Howard's nomination for the role of ICC vice-president was rejected by at least six of the 10 Test-playing nations at an ICC executive board meeting in Singapore on Wednesday.

"Following lengthy consideration it was recognised that the nomination (of Mr Howard) put forward by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket did not have sufficient support within the ICC board," the ICC said in a statement.

Australia and New Zealand have been invited to nominate another candidate by the end of August, the statement said.

Cricket Australia says it is "deeply disappointed" Mr Howard's bid was rejected.

"Effectively it was a bloc of Africa, Asia and the West Indies in the end saying no," he said.

"[It's] deeply disappointing as I said because it is this region's turn to nominate a person.

"We followed the process and had expected the normal processs would be followed and he would be endorsed."

African and Asian nations refused to support Mr Howard, who was ultimately supported by just Australia, New Zealand and England.

"There was nothing personal against Howard," a source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said.

"But we do accept the argument that only a man with previous experience in cricket administration should head the ICC. Howard was not involved with Cricket Australia at any time."

Former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar, a federal minister in the Indian government who has served as ICC vice-president for the last two years, takes over from outgoing president David Morgan of England on Thursday.

Tradition dictates that after Pawar, it is the turn of Australia/New Zealand in 2012.

Mr Howard was put forward by Cricket Australia as a wily political operator who could boost the governing body's profile in international sport.

Mr Howard's tough stance against the Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and past criticism of Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralidaran were believed to be key factors in the ICC's decision.

In 2007, he strongly supported Australian umpire Darrell Hair who outraged Pakistan by halting a Test match and awarding victory to England as the South Asian side protested against ball-tampering accusations.

Mr Howard was also a leading critic of Zimbabwe's regime under Robert Mugabe and included its cricket officials in 2008 sanctions.

The 70-year-old had hoped to take over as President of the ICC after two years under the organisation's traditional rotation policy.

Under a rotational five-region electoral process, Mr Howard's candidacy for vice-president should have been rubber-stamped months ago.

But growing opposition to Mr Howard delayed the decision, which is usually a formality appointment.

- ABC/Wires