Major headache for MCC

Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major has resigned from the committee of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) because of "fundamental disagreements" over the redevelopment of its Lord's headquarters.

Major's move came after the club's recent announcement it was scaling back its 'Vision for Lord's' plan, originally conceived at a cost of £400 million in 2007, which aimed to increase the London ground's 28,500 capacity on the back of a programme of luxury flats built at the Nursery End of the 'home of cricket'.

Instead the new scheme will see a more modest 'stand by stand' redevelopment.

"For me cricket has been a lifelong and enduring passion and it will remain so," Major, as much of a 'cricket tragic' as former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, said.

"The solace the game has given me in good times and bad, the friendships I have made, and the sheer joy of the game will never fade.

"My decision to resign from the committee of the world's pre-eminent cricket club has been reached with very great sadness and I wish other members of the committee well in their future deliberations."

An MCC statement said: "MCC has accepted with great reluctance the resignation from the club's committee of Sir John Major because of fundamental disagreements over the direction of policy on the Vision for Lord's; the manner in which decisions have been reached, and their wider implications for the club.

"MCC has expressed grateful thanks to Sir John for his substantial contributions during three terms on the committee." LONDON, Friday, AFP