London, May 2 : Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara will be the next President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
Sangakkara, who retired from international cricket in 2015, will become the first non-British President of the club. He will take up the post on October 1 this year and will serve for a period of 12 months.
His nomination was announced on Wednesday at Lord’s by the current President, Anthony Wreford, at the MCC annual general meeting.
The 41-year-old, has been associated with the club for a long time. In 2011, he delivered the ‘Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture’. In 2012, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership. That year, he also joined MCC’s World Cricket committee, of which he is still a member.
“It is a huge honour to be named the next President of MCC and it is a role that I am thoroughly looking forward to. For me, MCC is the greatest cricket club in the world, with its global reach and continued progress for cricket on and off the pitch,” Sangakkara told the Lord’s website.
“The year 2020 is going to be yet another significant one in cricket, especially at Lord’s, and I am thrilled that I am going to be able to play a part in supporting its future as President of MCC,” the former left-handed batsman added.
According to ICC’s website, his presidency will oversee England Test matches at Lord’s played against West Indies and Pakistan. More notably, perhaps, the first year of The Hundred and the launch of a franchise based at the Home of Cricket will also occur during his term.
Sangakkara’s name was appeared twice on the Honours Boards at Lord’s, with both innings coming in 2014.
He hit 147 in the Test, which was ended in a draw against England, and 112 in Sri Lanka’s One-Day International win over the English team.
Expressing his happiness over the appointment, MCC President, Anthony Wreford, said, “As MCC looks to broaden both our horizons and international reputation, I’m delighted that Kumar has accepted the invitation, which he did in January this year, to be the next President of MCC.”
“He is an outstanding individual both on and off the field and will make a huge contribution to the Club. In a World Cup and Ashes year he will also have a significant role to play as President Designate,” he added.
MCC is considered to be the custodian of the game’s laws.
