Cricketer Clare Connor To Be First Female MCC President In 233 Years

Former England women's skipper Clare Connor is to turn into the first female president of Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history.

Current officeholder Kumar Sangakkara, the first non-British MCC president, named Connor. He named through video meet from his native Sri Lanka during an annual general meeting on Wednesday.

Connor is presently the England and Wales Cricket Board's head of women's cricket. She is set to take up her new post on October 1, 2021, subject to the approval of the membership.

Presidents of MCC as a rule stay in post for one year. However Sangakkara's term is set to be extended by a year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was not until 1998 that MCC, which possesses Lord's Cricket Ground, casted a ballot permitting ladies to become members.

Before that, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was one of women permitted in the Lord's pavilion.

"I am deeply honoured to be named the next president of MCC," said Connor in a statement. "Cricket has enriched my life so deeply already, and now it hands me this wonderful privilege."

“We often need to look back to see how far we've come. I made my first visit to Lord's as a starry-eyed, cricket-obsessed nine-year-old girl. It was at a time when women were not welcome in the Long Room (of the pavilion),” she said.

'Times have changed'

The 43-year-old Connor, presently the chair of the International Cricket Council's women's cricket committee, included:

“Times have changed. Now I find myself entrusted with this remarkable opportunity. The opportunity to play a part in helping MCC. Cricket's most influential club, to thrive and grow in an even more modern and inclusive future.”

“MCC does wonderful work for communities in the UK and overseas. It stages the most uplifting events. It brings people together. And as we take small steps to emerge from this uncertain and difficult time, we are going to need the power of sport and strong sporting organisations like MCC more than ever,” she said.

In the meantime Sangakkara said he was “thrilled” by Connor's newest cricket position, the Sri Lanka legend adding:

“The club has a significant role to play in cricket's global appeal and with her influence, I am sure she will make a considerable contribution to MCC.”

Left-arm spinner Connor made her England debut in 19 during 1995. And she went to lead her nation in 2000 before retiring six years later.

Despite the fact that MCC no longer runs English cricket, it has overall responsibility regarding the game's guidelines.

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