Kumar Sangakkara takes charge as MCC President

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday took over as the first non-British President of the historic Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) here.

The former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman is the first non-British President of MCC and will hold the post for one year.

His nomination was announced by the outgoing President, Anthony Wreford, at the MCC Annual General Meeting at Lord's in May.

"I am thrilled to hold the prestigious position of MCC President and I look forward to working hard with the MCC to build on this incredible year of cricket," Sangakkara said in a statement.

"We have an opportunity to convert more supporters to the game we love and educate them about the fantastic work MCC does locally, nationally and globally for cricket and those communities," he added.

Sangakkara's tenure as MCC President will encompass two England Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, ODI against Australia and the launch of The Hundred competition.

Outgoing MCC President Wreford said: "There is no better person than Kumar (Sangakkara) to take on the role of MCC President. He strongly believes in the power of cricket to engage communities and he will be a pivotal ambassador for the important work that MCC does."