The MCC announced 19 new Honorary Life Members, with eight Test-playing nations represented in the latest cohort. The London-based club, which frames the rules of the game, awards honorary life membership to some of the finest men and women players to have played the game.
While India and England each have five former players included on this year’s list, while there are players from Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies in the list too.
Dhoni led India to famous triumphs in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ICC World Cup, while Yuvraj was an integral part of both the teams, churning out match-winning performances. Raina scored over 5,500 ODI runs across a 13-year career.
Goswami, who retired from international cricket after the final ODI against England at Lord’s last year, is the leading wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs, whilst Mithali heads the run-getters list with 7,805 in 211 innings.
Amongst the five former England players to get the honour are Ebgland’s 2019 ODI World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh and Anya Shrubsole, who were were a part of England’s 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, and flamboyant batsman Kevin Pietersen, who won the Ashes four times and was Player of the Tournament in England’s 2010 ICC Men’s World T20 win.
In a release by MCC, Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, was quoted as saying: “We are thrilled to be able to announce our newest cohort of Honorary Life Members of MCC, as we prepare for the new international summer. The names that have been announced today are some of the greatest international players of modern times, and we are privileged to now count them as valued Members of our Club.
We are also pleased to be able to announce two individuals who have been awarded this honour for their monumental contributions off the pitch.”
The list also includes Merissa Aguilleira (West Indies), Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh), Muhammad Hafeez (Pakistan), South African pace ace Dale Steyn, who is recognised as one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation, taking 439 Test wickets, Australia’s former top women’s team batter Rachael Haynes, who won six ICC tournaments with her country in a 13-year international career, as well as Gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the Kiwi duo of Amy Satterthwaite and Ross Taylor.
The new MCC life members
Merissa Aguilleira – West Indies (2008-2019), MS Dhoni – India (2004-2019), Jhulan Goswami – India (2002-2022), Jenny Gunn – England (2004-2019), Muhammad Hafeez – Pakistan (2003-2021), Rachael Haynes – Australia (2009-2022), Laura Marsh – England (2006-2019), Eoin Morgan – England (2006-2022), Mashrafe Mortaza – Bangladesh (2001-2020), Kevin Pietersen – England (2005-2014), Suresh Raina – India (2005-2018), Mithali Raj – India (1999-2022), Amy Satterthwaite – New Zealand (2007-2022), Anya Shrubsole – England (2008-2022), Yuvraj Singh – India (2000-2017), Dale Steyn – South Africa (2004-2020), Ross Taylor – New Zealand (2006-2022).
