Pollock on world's MCC committee

Shaun Pollock, the South African all-rounder, has become the newest member of MCC's world cricket committee.

Pollock, who retired from international cricket earlier this year and is currently playing in the Indian Premier League, accepted the invitation from MCC's World Cricket Committee Chairperson, Tony Lewis.

Lewis, together with MCC secretary and chief executive, Keith Bradshaw, and MCC head of cricket, John Stephenson, flew back from India yesterday after conducting talks with three MCC world cricket committee members actively involved in the Indian Premier League - Pollock and Rahul Dravid on the playing side and Martin Crowe, who is chief cricket officer of the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Speaking about his selection onto the MCC committee, Pollock said he was honoured and delighted to be joining the committee at such an interesting time for the sport. "The challenge for cricket is to embrace change for the good of the game whilst celebrating its rich heritage and the committee has a huge role to play in this respect.

“A lifetime's involvement in cricket has given me so many great experiences and I hope my knowledge of the game can be beneficial to the work of the committee. It's a huge honour to be asked to contribute and I'm greatly looking forward to my next challenge in the game."

Looking forward to challenge
Tony Lewis believes the addition of Pollock will be of great benefit to MCC's World Cricket Committee: "Having just met with Shaun in India, together with Rahul and Martin, we have already received a tremendous amount of input. It is pleasing to have Shaun on board, who I know will have much to offer the work of the Committee."

Looking ahead to next week's meeting at Lord's, Lewis continued: "The strength of MCC's World Cricket Committee is in its independence, its ability to freely think and recommend change for the benefit of the sport.

“It is also a body that combines a huge array of talent from all over the world. Importantly, MCC has the resource to support the work of the committee, with its increasing investment into research and development of the game. We look forward to discussions next week and anticipate a healthy debate and some forthright opinion."

The committee will meet at Lord's next week Monday and Tuesday. Discussions will be wide-ranging, covering the effects that worldwide Twenty20 leagues might have on the format of international cricket, a consideration of players' conduct and a look at technology and the proposed umpire decision review system. Pollock, Dravid, Anil Kumble and Martin Crowe will be unable to attend the meeting at Lord's next week due to commitments in the Indian Premier League. All four have had prior consultation with the chairperson.

The full list of committee members: Tony Lewis (chairperson) Mike Atherton, Mike Brearley, Geoffrey Boycott, Martin Crowe, Tony Dodemaide, Rahul Dravid, Andy Flower, Mike Gatting, Majid Khan, Anil Kumble, Shaun Pollock, Barry Richards, David Shepherd, Alec Stewart, Michael Tissera, Courtney Walsh and Steve Waugh.

The aims of the committee is to debate all matters in the interests of cricket and cricketers, to consider at all times the balance of the contest between bat and ball and to assist MCC's custodianship of the Laws of the Game, to protect the spirit of cricket, to be sure that governing body decisions never put cash or country interests before the good of the game. - Sapa