Ed Smith is set to take on the role of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) President starting 1st October, succeeding Lord King of Lothbury. This appointment came to light following the club’s AGM held on Wednesday.
Expressing his sentiments, Smith, who formerly served as England’s chief selector, said, “Lord’s has been a special part of my life – as a cricket fan, a player and then as a selector. I am deeply committed to serving the club – and the whole game – to the best of my ability.”
Lord King praised Smith’s credentials, saying, “The choice of my successor meets the twin criteria of being an outstanding first-class cricketer who played for England and a highly intelligent author and educator who is ideally equipped to help MCC navigate the challenges ahead.”
Smith’s cricket career saw him playing for Kent, Middlesex and earning three caps for England over 13 seasons. He amassed close to 13,000 first-class runs, with 34 centuries to his name. Post-retirement in 2008, Smith delved into media and writing, authoring five books. His tenure as England’s chief selector spanned three years from 2018, during which time England celebrated their World Cup triumph.
Furthering his contributions, Smith is engaged in academia as a co-founder of the Institute of Sports Humanities (ISH). This institute seeks to inspire leaders in sport and offers the MA Leadership in Sport in partnership with Loughborough University London.
During Smith’s presidency, Lord’s will host the final of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and, for the first time, a Women’s Test match. Moreover, he will oversee the Hundred’s transition to private ownership, with MCC retaining a 51% stake in London Spirit after a significant sell-off to a consortium of Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs for £145.5 million, marking a substantial financial milestone for the franchise.
Smith’s multifaceted experience in cricket and academia positions him well as he prepares to steer MCC through upcoming opportunities and challenges in the sport.
