Omar Henry, the former South Africa left-arm spinner who represented Scotland in the pre-ICC Associate days, is expected to be confirmed as Cricket Scotland’s next president when member clubs vote on 30 July. The 72-year-old has accepted an initial two-year term, with the option of a third, in what is largely an ambassadorial post aimed at broadening the game’s reach and sharpening its work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I am honoured to have been nominated as President-Elect of Cricket Scotland,” Henry said. “It is a privilege to serve the Scottish cricketing community, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me. I look forward to supporting the continued growth and progress of the game across the country.”
Key facts first
• Henry played 62 times for Scotland between 1989 and 1992, leading the side on 14 occasions.
• He returned to a post-apartheid South Africa to win three Test and three ODI caps at the age of 40.
• Off the field, he has been CEO of Boland Cricket and later chaired South Africa’s national selection panel.
• The new role will see him spend the 2025 and 2026 summers in Scotland, with occasional trips alongside national squads.
Why Scotland – and why now?
Henry moved north in the late 1970s to escape apartheid-era restrictions that barred non-white cricketers from representing South Africa. Club cricket in Scotland gave him a platform, and it is a chapter he remembers fondly. The presidency allows him, in his words, to “give something tangible back” to a system that once gave him an opportunity others withheld.
“During my term, I aim to champion the development of cricket at all levels – from local clubs to the national stage – and to help foster a game that is inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking,” he explained. “Engaging directly with clubs, volunteers, and communities will be at the heart of this effort.”
Cricket Scotland’s new four-year plan – neatly titled ‘Uniting People and Communities through Cricket’ – dovetails with Henry’s priorities. Its pillars: inspiring women and girls, pushing equality, chasing sustainable on-field success and tightening governance. Henry added: “I am committed to supporting its implementation, especially in helping to build a more inclusive and accessible game for all – one where diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded at every level.”
A track record of speaking out
At the 2021 Social Justice and Nation Building hearings in South Africa, Henry gave frank testimony about isolation and racism – first at a predominately white club in the 1970s, then during the 1992 World Cup. Those experiences continue to shape his approach. Friends say his willingness to tackle uncomfortable subjects without rancour is one reason Cricket Scotland’s board sought him out.
Former Scotland captain David Houghton, who played against Henry in county cricket, told local media this week: “Omar’s not afraid of the hard conversations, but he does them quietly and with respect. That’s crucial right now.”
What does the presidency actually involve?
Unlike the full-time chief executive job, the president’s role is unpaid and largely ceremonial – shaking hands, speaking at dinners, fronting junior festivals. Yet recent incumbents have also sat in strategy meetings and acted as sounding boards for performance staff. Henry’s administrative background suggests he will lean towards the latter.
Scotland men face a busy calendar with the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers and a potential return to the World Cup League pathway. The women’s side, fresh from securing full-time contracts, have a T20 World Cup in Bangladesh next year. Henry is expected to accompany both squads on select overseas tours, offering what one board member called “lived experience and a bit of sage counsel”.
Balancing history with future needs
Henry’s playing statistics – 219 first-class wickets at 24.26 – matter less now than the symbolism of his appointment. A man who once had to leave home to chase cricketing dreams will oversee a board grappling with its own inclusion report. Scottish cricket insiders admit the optics are powerful but say real impact will be judged on grassroots take-up and transparent governance.
For Henry, it comes back to community. “To all clubs and members of our cricketing community, thank you for your continued dedication,” he said in closing. “I look forward to working with you in the months ahead to help bring this shared vision to life and shape a positive future for cricket in Scotland.”
Ratification is expected to be a formality. The work, however, begins once the handshake photographs are done.
