38 Friday Sports Friday, June 26, 2020 Connor to be first female MCC president in 233 years Set to take up her new post on October 1, 2021 LONDON: Former England women’s captain “We often need to look back to see how far Clare Connor is to become the first female we’ve come. I made my first visit to Lord’s as a president of Marylebone Cricket Club in its starry-eyed, cricket-obsessed nine-year-old girl 233-year history. at a time when women were not welcome in the Current incumbent Kumar Sangakkara, the Long Room (of the pavilion). first non-British MCC president, nominated The 43-year-old Connor, now the chair of the Connor via video link from his native Sri International Cricket Council’s women’s cricket Lanka during an annual general meeting on committee, added: “Times have changed. Now I Wednesday. find myself entrusted with this remarkable op- Connor, now the England and Wales Cricket portunity –- the opportunity to play a part in Board’s head of women’s helping MCC, cricket’s cricket, is set to take up most influential club, to her new post on October thrive and grow in an 1, 2021, subject to the even more modern and membership’s approval. inclusive future. Presidents of MCC Times have “MCC does wonder- usually remain in post for ful work for communities one year but San- changed in the UK and overseas. gakkara’s term is set to It stages the most uplift- be extended by a further ing events. It brings peo- 12 months because of the ple together. coronavirus pandemic. “And as we take small It was not until 1998 that MCC, which owns steps to emerge from this uncertain and difficult Lord’s Cricket Ground, voted to allow women to time, we are going to need the power of sport become members. and strong sporting organisations like MCC Prior to that, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was more than ever.” one of the few women allowed in the Lord’s Meanwhile Sangakkara said he was “thrilled” pavilion. by Connor’s latest cricket appointment, the Sri Former England women’s captain Clare Connor. “I am deeply honoured to be named the next Lanka great adding: “The club has a significant president of MCC,” said Connor in a statement. role to play in cricket’s global appeal and with “Cricket has enriched my life so deeply al- her influence, I am sure she will make a consid- land debut aged 19 in 1995 and went on to Although MCC no longer runs English ready, and now it hands me this wonderful erable contribution to MCC.” captain her country in 2000 before retiring cricket, it has worldwide responsibility for the privilege. Left-arm spinner Connor made her Eng- six years later. sport’s rules. —AFP home, support Ricky and feel confident that Koepka, Simpson I’m doing what I can do protecting my fellow tour members,” Koepka said. 10 minutes from time. withdraw from Americans Cameron Champ, Nick Watney Atalanta end Lazio — bidding for their third Serie A title and Chase Koepka are the other golfers who after 1974 and 2000 — have lost just three will miss the event starting Thursday at TPC times in the league this season. PGA event River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, in Lazio’s 21-match Their most recent defeat before Wednes- the tour’s third event back from a three-month day was 1-0 at the hands of Inter Milan on NEW YORK: Four-time major champion coronavirus shutdown. September 25. Brooks Koepka and past US Open winners “We all need to learn to live with this virus. unbeaten run “We knew that returning against Atalanta Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell are It’s pretty clear this virus isn’t going any- was one of the worst opponents to have,” among six golfers who won’t compete the US where,” Monahan said. MILAN: Title-chasing Lazio suffered their PGA Travelers Championship after three “We’re going to have more positives going first Serie A defeat in nine months, falling 3-2 said Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi whose COVID-19 positive tests at the event. forward. We’re just going to continue to refine at Atalanta on Wednesday to stay four points side were held 3-3 by the Bergamo side in US PGA commissioner Jay Monahan has (safeguards) and get better and better and find behind leaders Juventus after surrendering a Rome in October. tightened restrictions in the tour’s health and new ways to mitigate the risk.” two-goal lead. “Unfortunately the title race gets more safety plan in the wake of positive tests by US Watney tested positive last week in South Lazio, playing their first game since Febru- complicated and we regret this, because we’re Carolina. Champ was positive on Tuesday. ary 29 after the coronavirus lockdown, thanked coming off a long series of unbeaten games. player Cameron Champ, McDowell caddie a Marten De Roon own-goal for putting them “I don’t like losing and the lads are a little Ken Comboy and Koepka caddie Ricky Elliott. Comboy and Elliott tested positive after ahead after six minutes in Bergamo with Sergej down.” “I haven’t tested positive for COVID-19, Koepka, his younger brother Chase and Milinkovic-Savic adding a superb second from Atalanta are four points behind third- but as I’ve said all along, I’m taking this very Northern Ireland’s McDowell practiced to- distance five minutes later. placed Inter Milan, who were held 3-3 at seriously,” Koepka said. “I don’t want to do gether Tuesday. But Robin Gosens headed fourth-placed home against Sassuolo earlier Wednesday. anything that might jeopardize the health of “I have experienced some fatigue and mus- Atalanta back into the game seven minutes be- Eight-time reigning champions Juventus any player in the field or his ability to compete. cle soreness myself,” 2010 US Open winner fore the break with Ruslan Malinovskyi rifling were the only one of the top three to win this Fourth-ranked Koepka is set to seek a McDowell said. “I didn’t think of it as COVID in the equaliser on 66 minutes. week with their 2-0 victory in Bologna on third consecutive PGA Championship title in related... but now that Kenny has tested posi- Jose Luis Palomino then sealed the home win Monday. —AFP August. tive... I have to take those symptoms more se- “The right thing to do right now is get riously. —AFP.