Clare Connor To Become First Woman MCC President In 233 Years

Kumar Sangakkara will hand over the baton to Clare Connor as she is set to become the first woman president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in its rich history of 233 years. Clare Connor, former England captain, was nominated by Sangakkara during the first MCC-AGM online.

Connor, 43, played 16 Tests and 93 ODIs for England before getting involved in her administrative roles. She was a right-handed batter and scored at an average nearly 20 in the longest format and 16.46 in ODIs. She also finished her six-year stint as the captain by help England win the Ashes.

Clare Connor: I am deeply honoured to be named the next president of MCC

Clare Connor is set to take up the role on October 1. Her position, however, is waiting approval from the members as Sangakkara has been invited to remain in the post for another 12 years due to the Covid-19 impact. Connor said that she is honoured to be named as the next MCC president and cricket has enriched her life deeply.

“I am deeply honoured to be named the next president of MCC,” Connor said. “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 at a time when women were not welcome in the Long Room. 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.”

Her term as MCC president will end on September 30, 2022. Sangakkara was the first non-British president when he took office at the role.