That could eventually include a new membership category, or shorter waiting times, for women to make a dent into the gender imbalance. Any such proposals would need the approval of members, with the notion of ‘queue jumping’ likely to have some detractors.
At the current rate, the MCC will achieve a 80-20% male-to-female ratio by the year 2075 which internally has been deemed unacceptable.
MCC chief executive Rob Lawson, chair Mark Nicholas and president Lord King are said to be among those who have made the issue a priority.
The MCC has already stepped up efforts to increase the number of women among its playing members – essentially a way for candidates to fast-track themselves to membership by representing the club in fixtures.
In 2024 there was a 77% increase in women applying to qualify as player members while the number of women’s out-matches played by the MCC increased by 34%.
A dedicated recruitment officer for women’s playing members – Emma Marsh – was appointed in 2024.
England’s women have never played a Test match at Lord’s – the Home of Cricket – although one is scheduled against India at the ground in 2026.
The MCC’s workforce is closer to an even split, with 60% of its employees male and 40% of them female.
In June 2023, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) said in its report that the MCC had a pivotal role to play in eradicating sexism from the game.
At Wednesday’s meeting, ex-England batter Ed Smith was named as the MCC’s new president, replacing Lord King. Smith’s 12-month term begins on 1 October.
