Mark Nicholas to become new President of Marylebone Cricket Club

English cricket commentator and former cricketer Mark Nicholas has been named as the next president of the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The 65-year-old will spend a 12-month term as President, beginning on October 1, 2023. His appointment was announced earlier on Wednesday, May 3, at the Club's Annual General Meeting by the current President, Stephen Fry.

Mark, who played as a top-order batter and medium-pace bowler for Hampshire and captained England A, was elected as a Member of MCC in 1981. He is one of the most recognizable figures in televised cricket, leading the coverage at the very top of the game across the world. He moved into the media following his retirement as a cricketer.

Mark stated after being appointed as the new MCC president, he only had to look at the list of former MCC Presidents to understand exactly what this honour means and what a privilege it was to receive it. He also mentioned his memory of attending a cricket match at Lord's. He added that he will have a better seat for a time but will always wish he was still playing.

“You only have to glance at the line of former Presidents of MCC to understand exactly what this honour means and what a privilege it is to receive it. I first watched cricket at Lord’s from behind the boundary rope on the outfield. I’ll get a smarter seat for a while now but will always wish I was still out there playing. What a game is cricket!," Mark said.

Mark Nicholas is as deeply steeped in cricket as anyone I know: Fry

MCC President Stephen Fry stated that Nicholas is as informed about cricket as anyone he knew. He went on to say that his deep affection for the game, along with his experience as a player, captain, and expert analyst, would make him an excellent fit in his new role.

“Mark Nicholas is as deeply steeped in cricket as anyone I know. His passionate love of the game allied to his experience as a player, captain and expert analyst will make him a wonderful President of MCC – with one eye on heritage and tradition, and the other on the future development and expansion of the game, to which he has devoted his life," Fry said.

The Annual General Meeting at Lord's on Wednesday (May 3) was the second hybrid meeting. Members attended the meeting both in person on the ground and online.