Malcolm Speed has spoken out for the first time since his departure from the ICC and confirmed that his stance on Zimbabwe was behind the governing body’s decision to place him on "gardening leave" for the last eight weeks of his contract.

The former chief executive told the Sydney Morning Herald that an "angry and bitter exchange" between himself and ICC president Ray Mali over the ICC’s policy towards Zimbabwe "caused our previously friendly relationship to break down irretrievably".

"In March 2008, the ICC board reviewed the KPMG forensic report into the finances of Zimbabwe Cricket," Speed told the daily.

"The report showed that there had been irregularities in the finances of ZC. The ICC board resolved to take no further action on the basis that the KPMG report did not prove that any individual within ZC had profited. Sir John Anderson, the NZC chairman, and I had vigorously opposed this decision at the board meeting.

"As a director of ICC, I was bound by the decision. I elected not to attend a press conference with Mr Mali on the evening of the board meeting, as had been previously arranged, where this decision was to be announced. In failing to attend the press conference, I knew that there was a risk that I would be sacked."

Six weeks later Speed’s tenure was brought to a premature end, but he insists that his passion for the game of cricket is undiminished and feels the new men in charge of the sport are worthy of their positions.

"The current ICC president, David Morgan, is a fine man who is doing an excellent job in difficult circumstances, made significantly more difficult by the current economic crisis and the terrorist attacks last week in Mumbai," Speed said.

"I am confident that my successor as CEO, Haroon Lorgat, will manage his role with distinction and the game will continue to prosper."

Instead of pointing the finger at individuals for some of the game’s problems, Speed believes the core problem is the structure of the ICC.

"I think it is common ground that the board is too large," he claimed. "Sixteen directors (including president, vice-president and CEO) is a large gathering. All countries have agreed to this structure, and it is very unlikely that it will be changed."

Speed said that he would welcome the addition of former players and women to the board.

Many have pointed to India’s growing power in cricket and their dovetailing with fellow subcontinental members as a concern for the game, but Speed sees cricket’s popularity in that country as a "major positive" and insists that the BCCI are not the evil presence which some claim.

"In recent years, Australia has been a very close ally of India in major strategic decisions - perhaps its closest ally," he revealed.

"There is a lot of speculation about the "Asian bloc" in cricket. This occurs rarely. In the past few years, Australia has been more likely to vote with India than some of the Asian countries.

"India’s vote has the same value as Australia’s and the other full member countries. If there is concern about irresponsible use of power, there are processes in place to deal with this, and the other countries should take firm positions and make them clear."

Zimbabwe continue to enjoy full membership of the ICC, and Speed can not see this changing.

"The process for stripping a member of its full member status is difficult and requires the agreement of eight of the 10 full members," he said. "I cannot see this happening."