Former England captain Clare Connor is all set to become the first-ever female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history. This decision was announced by the club following its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and as a result, Connor will be taking charge from October 1, 2021. She will replace Kumar Sangakkara as the MCC president. The nomination of Connor, who is currently the ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket, was made by Sangakkara himself during Wednesday’s Annual General Meeting. Connor, who has previously served as a director on the board of Sussex Cricket and Sport England, already has been an honorary life member of the MCC since 2009.

“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,” Connor said in a statement. “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.” Connor 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.

Nominating Connor for the prestigious role, Sangakkara said: “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.”

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. She retired from the game 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. Aside from her ECB duties, Connor has served the chair of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee since 2011. She has also served as a director on the board of Sussex Cricket and Sport England.