Former England captain Clare Connor will be the first female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history of the. She has been named to replace Kumar Sangakkara as the former Sri Lanka skipper vacates the office next year.

Clare is presently the ECB managing director for women’s cricket. Sangakkara himself had proposed her nomination for the MCC job during a the digitally-convened Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

“I am thrilled that Clare has accepted the invitation to become the next President of MCC. 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,” said Sangakkara.

“With the extended lead-in time until she takes office, she will have an important part to play as President Designate,”

Sangakkara has been invited to remain in the role for a second twelve-month tenure due to the impact of COVID-19 on the cricketing landscape, The body that forms laws of cricket has stated on its official website lords.org.

“I am deeply honoured to be named the next President of MCC. Cricket has enriched my life so deeply already, and now it hands me this wonderful privilege,” said Clare, who was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC in 2009.

“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 9 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.”

Clare made her England debut in 1995 at the age of 19, and took over the captaincy in 2000, leading England at Lord’s against Australia a year later. An all-rounder who bowled left-arm spin, Connor led England women to their first Ashes triumph in 42 years, overseeing a 1-0 series win in 2005.

The Ashes win was the culmination of her six-year stint as captain of her country, retiring from the game shortly thereafter. She was appointed as the ECB’s Head of Women’s Cricket in 2007, having previously taught English Literature and been Head of PR at Brighton College alongside her cricketing career. She was appointed as the ECB’s Head of Women’s Cricket in 2007, having previously taught English Literature and been Head of PR at Brighton College alongside her cricketing career.

If Sangakkara’s two-year term as expected is approved by Members at the AGM, Clare’s one-year tenure will begin on October 1 next year.

Former Sri Lankan international Sangakkara, who became the Club’s first non-British President when he assumed office in October 2019, will then stand down in September 2021.

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