The former Sri Lankan player Kumar Sangakkara is the first non-British President of MCC and he is going to hold the post for one year. His nomination was announced in May this year by the outgoing President, Anthony Wreford, at the MCC Annual General Meeting at Lord’s.
Kumar Sangakkara said: “I am thrilled to hold the prestigious position of MCC President and I look forward to working hard with the MCC to build on this incredible year of cricket. We have an opportunity to convert more supporters to the game we love and educate them about the fantastic work MCC does locally, nationally and globally for cricket and those communities.”
Sangakkara has a long association with MCC who played against the Club in 2002. He opened the batting for Sri Lankan in a first-class match at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. He also played for MCC against an International XI in the 2005 Tsunami Relief Match at Lord’s. He also delivered a memorable MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture in 2011. In 2012, he was awarded the Honorary Life Membership of the Club. Later in the same year, he joined its World Cricket committee as well.
MCC Chief Executive & Secretary Guy Lavender said: “We are delighted that Kumar is taking up his position today and it is with great thanks to Anthony Wreford for choosing our first international President. Anthony has been a superb President over an exceptionally busy period and in partnership with his wife Marian Wreford, they have made a fantastic contribution to the Club over a pivotal year. I have no doubt that Kumar will be an outstanding successor and will help shape our Club and vision moving forward.”
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Anthony Wreford, the Outgoing MCC President also said that Kumar Sangakkara is the best person to do the job
“There is no better person than Kumar Sangakkara to take on the role of MCC President over the next twelve months. He strongly believes in the power of cricket to engage communities and he will be a pivotal ambassador for the important work that MCC does, including reaffirming its international reputation this summer by staging five ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup matches including that magical final,” he added.
“Kumar will be able to make a continued impact not only at Lord’s, but on the Club’s global status. His worldwide appeal as MCC’s first non-British President, will enable him to have a positive effect in this area. I leave the role in very safe hands,” he concluded.
His term as MCC President will include Lord’s next summer, including England Test Matches against West Indies and Pakistan, and ODI against Australia and the launch of The Hundred competition as well.
