The former England women’s cricket team captain, Clare Connor, creates history as she becomes the first female to take office as the President of MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) at Lord’s , in its 234-year history.
The 45-year old former Ashes-winning captain is also Director of Women’s Cricket at the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and has done exemplary work to develop women’s cricket in the country. Connor was nominated for the role at the club’s AGM back in 2020, but due to COVID-19, her tenure was delayed, with her predecessor, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara staying on for a second term.
“I am truly honoured to be MCC President and would like to thank Kumar Sangakkara for putting his faith in me to deliver this enormously important role, for the good of the sport I have loved all my life. I will try to bring my range of experiences from the dressing room and the boardroom to support, influence and work alongside the club’s leadership and committees over the next 12 months. I am really looking forward to being part of the MCC team”, said Connor.
Connor, an all-rounder, made her England debut in 1995 at the age of just 19. Five years later, she took over the captaincy in 2005, she led England women to their first Ashes triumph in 42 years, overseeing a 1-0 series win in 2005. She retired on a high soon after that series. In her 11-year illustrious career as a cricketer, she featured in 111 international matches for England.
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Clare Connor became the first female President in the 234-year history of the MCC ❤️
She succeeds Kumar Sangakkara to become the president of MCC.
Connor was nominated for the role at the club’s AGM back in 2020.
Congratulations @ConnorCricket 🙌 pic.twitter.com/A4Mvb0CZTH
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 1, 2021
In 2009, she was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC, only a decade after the first female members had been admitted to the club. Just as she has been an excellent server of the game during her playing days, she continues to be a fantastic server of the game after hanging up her boots as well. She has played a pivotal part in introducing central contracts for England women’s players in 2014, and the first tranche of domestic contracts for female cricketers in 2020. The inaugural Hundred that was played this year could not have been successful without Connor’s effort.
Apart from her ECB duties, Connor has been chair of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee since 2011, and has served as a director on the board of Sussex Cricket and Sport England.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
