All change at MCC: new roles for Tom Graveney and Rachael Heyhoe Flint

Date released: 30 September 2004

In a series of changes at Lord's tomorrow (1st October), Tom Graveney will become the MCC President and four new members - including Rachael Heyhoe Flint - will join the MCC Committee.

Tom will become the first former professional cricketer to serve as Club President, while Rachael becomes the first woman to join the MCC Committee.

Commenting on his new role, Tom Graveney said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be serving as President of MCC; it's the most famous, as well as the most active, cricket club in the world. It's a particular pleasure to be starting my term of office at such an interesting period in MCC's history. I first played at Lord's more than half a century ago, but I can't recall a time when there was so much going on at the Ground. From the multi-million pound Pavilion refurbishment project to the development of the country's first portable pitches, it's a truly fascinating time to become Club President.

The 2004 season has only just ended, but I'm already looking forward to next summer. I can't wait to see Bangladesh play their first Test match at Lord's next May, before this exciting England team takes on a genuinely great Australian side in July. The Ashes series may be nine months away, but it's already a mouth-watering prospect."

Rachael Heyhoe Flint commented: "I'm indebted to all the Members who voted me onto the MCC Committee. It's been a pleasure to have served on the Marketing Committee over the last couple of years - and I believe that we've achieved a great deal. There's more to learn, but I'm really looking forward to contributing to the work of the main MCC Committee as well."

Other MCC changes will involve:

• Charles Fry - the out-going President - becoming MCC's Chairman for the next three years;

• Darrell Hair, one of the world's top umpires, becoming MCC's Laws & Umpiring Consultant; and

• the Committee also being joined by Mike Griffith (who topped the Members' ballot), John Fingleton and Andrew Beeson.