MCC World Cricket Committee to meet in New Delhi

Date released: 20 October 2008

MCC’s World Cricket Committee will meet in New Delhi later this week to discuss the current issues affecting the game today.

The Committee will then make a series of recommendations aimed at improving the game and its governance.

Joining the discussions will be MCC’s most recent recruits, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Shaun Pollock.

All three, already members of MCC’s World Cricket Committee, will be presented with their MCC ties following last week’s decision to award each player Honorary Life Membership of the Club.

Shaun Pollock: Awarded Honorary MCC Life Membership The two-day meeting, which convenes in New Delhi on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, will cover a range of topics from the impact that Twenty20 competitions are having on international cricket to a comprehensive review of the use of technology for the purposes of decision making.

The meeting will also hear expert opinion in a number of areas: Kumble and Dravid, both involved in the current India v Australia Test series, will give a players’ verdict on the Umpire Decision Review System (a trial featured in a recent Sri Lanka v India Test series); Derek Underwood, MCC President, will ask the Committee to consider whether there is a decline in spin bowling around the world; and invited guest Inderjit Bindra will outline the successes and future direction of the Indian Premier League.

Healthy discussion

Lewis: Acting solely in the interests of the sport MCC World Cricket Committee Chairman, Tony Lewis, is looking forward to proceedings:

“This is the Committee’s sixth meeting and we’re reaping the rewards of a group of highly experienced, independent-minded cricket specialists debating the core issues in the game today.

"Free from considerations of politics, money and race, the MCC World Cricket Committee can and does act solely in the interest of the sport and its players.

"The game of cricket needs debate and forthright opinion, now more than ever, and we can expect more healthy discussion in New Delhi over the coming days.”

Stephenson: Delighted to welcome Kumble, Dravid & Pollock John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, will present the official Club ties to the newest of the Club’s 18,000 Members:

“Anil, Rahul and Shaun are huge names in the sport who contribute much to the game and whose expertise is invaluable to MCC’s World Cricket Committee.

"We are delighted to welcome them as MCC Honorary Life Members.”

More about the Committee

Established in April 2006, MCC’s World Cricket Committee is the only true independent voice in world cricket. It ensures that MCC is a robust custodian of the Laws of Cricket - a role the Club has performed since 1788.

The Committee is empowered to conduct research, particularly into technological advances and bio-mechanical elements of the game and its players. MCC funds this work as part of its commitment to develop cricket worldwide. All such research and development is conducted with the help of Imperial College London.

Membership of the MCC World Cricket Committee is voluntary and unpaid. Members are invited primarily because of their continued close involvement in the game, for example, current Test cricketers, media broadcasters and journalists, Test-country management and administration; all part of a performing elite in their playing days.

The full list of Committee members is as follows:

Tony Lewis (Chairman), Mike Atherton, Mike Brearley, Geoffrey Boycott, Martin Crowe, Tony Dodemaide, Rahul Dravid, Andy Flower, Mike Gatting, Majid Khan, Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock, Barry Richards, David Shepherd, Alec Stewart, Michael Tissera, Courtney Walsh, Steve Waugh