Former England captain Mike Gatting has been confirmed as the new president of the MCC.
Gatting, 56, will succeed former Sussex batsman Mike Griffith in the role for a 12-month term which will focus on the redevelopment of Lord’s in the ground’s 200th year.
“It is an amazing honour to have been asked to serve as president at the best cricket club in the world,” said Gatting.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Mike Griffith and thank him – not just for giving me this honour but, much more importantly, overseeing a significant and successful 12 months for the club which has seen the production of the (Lord’s) Masterplan, a 10-year strategic plan and the receipt of the Royal Charter.
“Mike has done a terrific job, with his love of the game apparent in all he’s done, and I and the rest of his fellow members owe him a debt of gratitude.”
During his playing days Gatting captained Middlesex, tenants of Lord’s in county cricket and celebrating a significant anniversary of their own in 2014 when they will reach 150 years.
And it is Lord’s itself which will dominate the agenda once Gatting’s tenure begins tomorrow.
Gatting said: “Lord’s is such a special place and we must make sure it continues to be the finest ground in the world.
“Ground development will be a major focus for MCC in the coming months and with Derek Brewer and Colin Maber overseeing the Masterplan, the club is on the right path to ensuring Lord’s flourishes in the future.
“Another area of development for the club – and one which I am very passionate about – is community engagement.
“I grew up not far from Lord’s in Willesden and while we run some fantastic projects abroad, there’s an understanding that we also need to bring the benefits of Lord’s to some people who need it closer to home.
“MCC now has a community engagement manager in place who is looking at the ways we can bring real improvements to the lives of our some of our deprived neighbours, and I intend to help all I can.”
View the Original article