Richardson joins MCC World Cricket Committee

Date released: 20 January 2009

Newest member: Dave Richardson David Richardson, the former South African Test wicket-keeper and ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, has accepted an invitation to join the MCC World Cricket Committee.

The committee, chaired by Tony Lewis and comprised of current and past greats of the game such as Steve Waugh and Rahul Dravid, debates cricket’s key issues and makes recommendations aimed at improving the game and its governance.

Established in 2006, the MCC World Cricket Committee was the first body to recommend a trial of the Umpire Decision Review System and is at the forefront of technological research into the game.

MCC WCC Chairman, Tony Lewis MCC World Cricket Committee Chairman, Tony Lewis, said: "David has attended our previous meetings as an observer and has already contributed a great deal to the work of the committee.

"As an outstanding international wicket-keeper, he sits comfortably with the group as a player and with his unrivalled knowledge of the practicalities of managing world cricket, he brings considerable skill and experience to our table.

"The MCC World Cricket Committee will always be an independent body that will speak out in the interests of cricket.

"David’s membership of this committee is proof of the healthy relationship that MCC and ICC share and we welcome him on board."

Passionate about the game

Morgan: Richardson's presence 'highlights cooperation between MCC & ICC' ICC President David Morgan said: "I am delighted that David Richardson is joining the MCC World Cricket Committee.

"David's skills and experience as an international cricketer and cricket administrator mean he brings a great deal of value to an already impressive group of experts and, at the same time, his presence highlights the cooperation and communication that exists between MCC, the governing council of the Laws, and ICC, who are responsible for overseeing the global game."

Richardson added: "I am extremely pleased and honoured to be joining the MCC World Cricket Committee. It is a talented group and passionate about the game.

"In providing an independent view and offering checks and balances to the governance of the game, the committee plays an important role in world cricket and I look forward to contributing to it and offering an ICC perspective on the major issues, even more so as a proud MCC member."

Richardson became the General Manager of Cricket of the International Cricket Council in 2002, the same year he was elected to Honorary Life Membership of MCC.

He played 42 Test matches for South Africa, taking 152 dismissals.

Richardson's son, Michael, is an MCC Young Cricketer A qualified lawyer, David has also worked as both a Business Director with Octagon SA and as a media commentator.

David also sits on the MCC Laws sub-committee and his son, Michael, is on the books of the MCC Young Cricketers at Lord’s.

David becomes the nineteenth member of the MCC World Cricket Committee and, after Barry Richards and Shaun Pollock, the third to hail from South Africa.