Harare, June 24, 2010 - Former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard held meetings with the Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday to garner support for his candidature to the position of vice president in the International Cricket Council (ICC), officials confirmed.

Howard arrived in the country on Tuesday evening with the chairperson of the Australia Cricket, Jack Clarke.The former premier held meetings with Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, Ozias Bvute and chairman Peter Chingoka.

"Former Australian prime minister John Howard and the chairman of Cricket Australia, Jack Clarke arrived in Harare on Wednesday to meet with the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), Peter Chingoka and ZC managing director, Ozias Bvute,"the Zimbabwe Cricket said.

Howard expressed optimism for the future of Zimbabwe cricket while Zimbabwe Cricket officials said they hoped to continue to work with their Australian counterparts, the Zimbabwe Cricket said.

Howard and Clarke toured Harare Sports Club cricket field saying they are hoping Zimbabwe will be fully intergrated into the world of cricket.

Before he lost his premiership in Australia, Howard clashed with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on the latter's policies and cancelled Australia tour in Zimbabwe in 2008 csaying the visit will be 'an ernomous propaganda boost for Mugabe's regime.