Marylebone Cricket Club

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, was the original governing body of international cricket. It is a private members' club. Though its international functions passed on to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1993, and its English governance to the England and Wales Cricket Board, the MCC still is the framer and copyright holder of the Laws of Cricket. However, this role is increasingly under pressure as the ICC seeks to exercise control over all aspects of the world game. In recent times the ICC has instituted changes to the Laws (e.g in One Day Internationals) with a minimum of consultation with the MCC. Also, in moving its location from Lord's to Dubai the ICC is making a clear statement of independence from the past.

Related Topics:
Marylebone - 1787 - Cricket - International Cricket Council - English - England and Wales Cricket Board - Laws of Cricket - Lord's - Dubai

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The MCC is based at Lord's Cricket Ground near St. John's Wood in London, which it owns. Members have special rights to use the Pavilion and other stands at Lord's for major matches.

Related Topics:
Lord's Cricket Ground - St. John's Wood - London

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The MCC organised the early England cricket teams, and outside of Test matches the touring England team officially played as "MCC" up to and including the 1976/77 tour of Australia.

Related Topics:
Test match - Australia

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It now runs a training programme for young cricketers. The club also has a real tennis court and active Golf and Bridge societies.

Related Topics:
Real tennis - Golf - Bridge

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The club was involved in a minor controversy over its members' persistent refusal to allow female membership well into the 1990s, with club ballots on the change, although supported by the officers of the club, unable to attract the two-thirds majority amongst the membership required for implementation. Eventually, the British Government intervened threatening to cut lottery funding from the club on the grounds it was being sexist http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/cricket/181459.stm. A 70% majority of members eventually voted to allow female membership in September 1998, so ending 212 years of male exclusivity. Up until this time Her Majesty the Queen, as the club's patron, was the only woman (other than domestic staff) permitted to enter the Pavilion during play. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/297853.stm Later five women were invited to join as playing members. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/cricket/277627.stm

Related Topics:
1990s - British Government - Lottery funding - Sexist - 1998 - Her Majesty the Queen

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See also: Middlesex County Cricket Club.

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