Kumar Sangakkara named as new chair of MCC World Cricket Committee

Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Legendary Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has been named as the new chair of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee. He took over the role from former England captain Mike Gatting, who served the role for six years.

Sangakkara was previously serving as MCC’s president, which will be taken over by ex-Hampshire captain-turned-broadcaster Mark Nicholas. The 45-year-old was the first non-British President of the MCC in 2019 and served in it for two years before handing it off to Stephen Fry, who is currently the body’s immediate past president.

The MCC committee also consisted of Ricky Skerritt, Heather Knight, Suzie Bates, Clare Connor, Justin Langer, Eoin Morgan, Ramiz Raja, Sourav Ganguly, and Kumar Dharmasena. The committee meets twice a year to discuss urgent issues in the game as an adjunct to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member states. 

Nicholas, who will take over for Stephen Fry as president of the MCC, has expressed his excitement about the new position. He stated that he is looking forward to getting more involved with the Club through the various projects they are currently working on.  

“I am honoured to be following in the footsteps of many wonderful people who have had the privilege of being the President of MCC, none more so than two heroes of mine and mentors, Ted Dexter and Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie,” Mark Nicholas was quoted as saying by Cricketaddictor.

“Lord’s is, of course, a special place and I’m looking forward to a greater involvement with the Club through the many projects with which we are presently engaged. I’m also excited by the many events which we have already planned over the next year,” he added. 

Along with Sangakkara and Nicholas, the MCC also announced the appointment of Chris Rogers as the new treasurer, who will succeed Tony Elgood, who served in the position for six years. He joined the Club in 1977 and has been a member of the finance committee since 2015.