Ed Smith Named Next President of MCC

LONDON: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardian of cricket’s regulations and owner of Lord’s Cricket Ground, is poised to implement key changes addressing the historical gender disparity in its membership.

This subject will be a focal point at the club’s approaching Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Despite initiating the acceptance of female members in 1998, following over two centuries of male exclusivity, women still comprise less than 3% of the club’s 18,350 full members.

This imbalance has spurred increasing apprehension among prominent club leaders, who now view greater inclusivity as a paramount objective.

Leading up to the AGM, internal dialogues have indicated a growing sense of urgency. A senior source within the club conveyed to the British press, “It is evident that further action is required. We must confront this issue directly and responsibly.”

One significant obstacle to accelerated progress is the club’s extensive membership waiting list, which currently stretches to nearly 29 years.

To resolve this, the MCC has created a discussion document outlining possible reforms, such as a new membership tier for women or a shorter waiting period. These suggestions will be examined during the AGM and will need member endorsement to proceed.

MCC Chair Mark Nicholas, Chief Executive Rob Lawson, and outgoing President Lord King are at the forefront of this effort. Their aim is to encourage respectful and impactful progress toward a more equitable membership composition.

Positive indicators are already apparent within the club’s playing membership channel. In 2024, applications from women seeking membership through cricket participation saw a 77% increase, while the quantity of women’s matches hosted by MCC grew by 34%.

To reinforce this advancement, Emma Marsh has been designated as the club’s first dedicated recruitment officer for female playing members.

During the AGM, former England batter Ed Smith was formally announced as the next MCC President. He is scheduled to take over the position on October 1, 2025, succeeding Lord King.