Photo: Collected
Former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has delivered the 24th ‘Cowdrey Lecture’ of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He spoke at this event as the third person after Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2008 and Stephen Fry in 2021.
Distinguished guests, including MCC members and members of the Cowdrey family, were present at the evening event. Viewers also enjoyed the lecture through a live broadcast on the Lord’s YouTube channel. In the lecture, Sunak argued that cricket can become a powerful force in building national unity.
He said we cannot merely live side by side, we have to live together. And that means staying connected with one another through sport as well. He warned that Britain’s successful multi-ethnic democracy is now facing a ‘real threat’.
He called for cricket to be built into a ‘truly national game’. He also urged renewed support for programmes to expand sporting facilities and for ‘cricket domes’ (indoor cricket facilities), so that every child on every playground can dream of playing for England.
Recalling his lifelong passion for the game and various memories, Sunak said, this evening I am speaking not with the authority of a former player but with the love of a lifelong fan. He then reminisced about watching Hampshire play for the first time at the County Ground, playing cricket with the England team in the Downing Street garden and taking his elder daughter to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Lord’s.
MCC President Ed Smith said Rishi has long been an enthusiastic supporter of cricket and his thoughtful perspective made this year’s Cowdrey Lecture hugely engaging. He presented a unique perspective on the role of cricket in national life and how the game can be a bridge to bring people together.
After Sunak’s lecture, Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, head coach and director of cricket of London Spirit and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, took part in a discussion with MCC Chairman Mark Nicholas. They shared their thoughts on their early days in cricket, stories of success in different roles, the difference between ‘The Hundred’ and the IPL, and the ‘London Spirit’ campaign.
The ‘MCC Cowdrey Lecture’, held in memory of Lord Cowdrey of Tonbridge, is now one of the main attractions of the cricket calendar, where an opportunity is created for debate and discussion on important issues in contemporary cricket. Richie Benaud began this lecture series in 2001. Those who have delivered the lecture in the past include Clive Lloyd, Imran Khan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mike Brearley.
