Tsunami disaster: MCC's response

Date released: 7 January 2005

MCC is to make a major contribution to the tsunami relief effort. This contribution will take three main forms:

• first, MCC will donate £25,000, immediately, towards the reconstruction of the Galle Cricket Stadium, in Sri Lanka, which was devastated by the disaster;

• secondly, MCC has responded positively to Sri Lanka Cricket's request, received earlier today, to stage a major fund-raising event in the world-famous Long Room at Lord's. All the proceeds will be donated to tsunami relief work; and

• thirdly, MCC has contacted both the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a view to staging a major fund-raising match at Lord's during the 2005 cricket season.

MCC's Secretary & Chief Executive, Roger Knight, said: "Everyone has been shocked by the tsunami disaster - and its scale. Now it is essential for the region to receive the resources needed for a full recovery; MCC is determined to play its part in this process. We want to support the many organisations which are working so hard, on the ground, to re-build people's lives. We are very keen, too, to support the reconstruction of the stadium in Galle - where cricket has long played a key role in the life of the local community. Following the substantial donation made by members of the England cricket team, and with the first of the tsunami appeal matches taking place in Melbourne on Monday, I am delighted that our sport is contributing to the relief and recovery process."

Further details of the fund-raising event in the Long Room will be announced in due course. (MCC hopes that the event will take place as soon as possible after the completion of the current Pavilion refurbishment project.)

A separate announcement will be made when there is any match-related news to report. (No tickets are currently available, and we regret that no advance orders can be taken.)