Clare Connor becomes first female MCC President as Sangakkara ends his term

Saturday, 2 October 2021 00:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Clare Connor and Kumar Sangakkara

Clare Connor, England Women’s former Ashes-winning captain, has taken office at Lord’s as the first female President of MCC in the club’s 234-year history.

Connor, who is also Director of Women’s Cricket at the ECB, was nominated for the role at the club’s AGM back in 2020, but her tenure was delayed by a year due to COVID-19, with her predecessor Kumar Sangakkara staying on for a second term.

“I am truly honoured to be MCC President,” Connor said, “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.”

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. 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.

Connor is passionate about developing the women’s and girls’ game and as the ECB’s Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, she oversaw the introduction of central contracts for England women’s players in 2014, the ICC World Cup win in front of a full house at Lord’s in 2017 and the introduction of professional contracts for female domestic cricketers in 2020. (Lord’s)