Matthew Fleming to become MCC President

Former Kent captain Matthew Fleming will be the next President of Marylebone Cricket Club.

The 51-year-old will take up the post on 1 October 2016 after being nominated by current President Roger Knight and announced at the MCC Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 4 May 2016 at Lord’s.

As a player he was a Kent stalwart, making 219 first-class appearances for the county between 1989 and 2002.

An industrious all-rounder, Fleming scored 9206 runs at an average of 30.18 and took 290 wickets at 35.91 runs apiece.

He also played 314 List A matches for Kent, scoring 6161 runs at an average of 24.74 and taking 377 wickets at an average of 25.71. His performances in the shorter form of the game earned him 11 One-Day International caps for England.

Fleming has a long association with MCC, having served two three-year terms as an elected member on the Club’s Main committee since 2005.

He has served as a member of the Club’s Cricket committee since 2006 and is current Chairman of Cricket having been elected in October 2013. He will be the youngest MCC President for 36 years, since Peter May served in 1980.

Fleming is also MCC’s representative on the ECB Board of Directors.

In recent years Fleming has become a driving force behind the MCC Foundation’s work in Afghanistan and has worked closely with charity Afghan Connection to help develop the country’s cricket programme.

Since the MCC Foundation first committed financial support to Afghan Connection in 2009, 52 pitches have been built in 22 Afghan provinces, with over 100,000 local children attending cricket training as a result.

Fleming said: "I would like to thank Roger Knight for nominating me to succeed him as MCC President.

“I have always believed that MCC's role within cricket is to support where necessary and lead where required

"I am very honoured and humbled to be asked to follow in the footsteps of some of the most extraordinary people ever involved in the game.

"Cricket around the world faces unique challenges and opportunities, and MCC has a vital part to play at a local, national and international level.

"I have always believed that MCC's role within cricket is to support where necessary and lead where required.

"Working alongside Derek Brewer and the team I look forward to combining my role as Chairman of MCC Cricket with the Presidency of this great club.

"Next year promises to be a momentous one for the Club – when the new Warner Stand is completed, the refurbishment of the J.P. Morgan Media Centre is finalised and when Lord's plays host to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Final.

"It will be a privilege to be involved at the Home of Cricket during this exciting time."