Moeen Ali and Meg Lanning awarded Honorary Life Membership of MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced the election of Moeen Ali and Meg Lanning to Honorary Life Membership, honouring their exceptional contributions to international cricket. Both players recently retired from international duties and have now joined a prestigious list of global cricket legends recognised by the Club.
Moeen Ali: England’s versatile allrounder and match-winner
Moeen Ali made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2014 and went on to become one of England’s most successful all-rounders. Over a career spanning across all three formats, Moeen played 68 Tests, 138 ODIs, and 92 T20Is, amassing 6,678 runs and claiming 366 wickets.
His achievements include winning the Ashes twice, lifting the ICC 50-over and T20 World Cups, and recording a Test hat-trick. He also holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an England player.
In 2017, Moeen delivered one of his finest Test performances at Lord’s against South Africa, taking match figures of 10 for 112 and earning a spot on the Lord’s Honours Board.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be awarded Honorary Life Membership of MCC. To be listed alongside so many cricketing greats is truly humbling,” Moeen said. “I always enjoyed playing at Lord’s and it was an incredible feeling to walk out at such a historic venue.”
Meg Lanning: Australia’s most decorated captain
Australia’s Meg Lanning, widely considered one of the greatest batters and leaders in women’s cricket, made her debut at age 18. Over a 13-year international career, she amassed 8,352 international runs and scored 17 centuries across formats.
Lanning captained her nation in 182 of her 241 appearances, guiding Australia to victory in the 50-over World Cup, four T20 World Cups, and a Commonwealth Games gold. At the time of her retirement in 2023, she held the record for the most ICC World Cups won as captain in cricket history.
Her connection to Lord’s runs deep—she featured in two ODI wins at the venue and scored a half-century in the 2014 Lord’s Bicentenary match for the Rest of the World XI. Most recently, she led the London Spirit to their first-ever title in The Hundred.
“I’m thrilled to be awarded Honorary Life Membership of MCC. Becoming part of a prestigious Club and following in the footsteps of a long line of fantastic cricketers is a huge privilege,” Lanning said.
A growing list of cricket legends
The announcement comes as MCC prepares for the new international season at Lord’s. The Club recently conferred Sir James Anderson with Honorary Life Membership, presented to him in July 2024 as he played his final Test match at Lord’s, ending a record-breaking career with 704 wickets — the most by any fast bowler in Test history.
Claire Taylor, Chair of MCC Cricket Committee, commented: “The list of Honorary Life Members includes many of the greatest cricketers to have played the game, and this latest cohort are no exception. We are honoured to welcome them as Members of our Club.”
The inclusion of Moeen Ali, Meg Lanning, and James Anderson further cements MCC’s tradition of celebrating cricketers who have made a significant impact on the global game—both on and off the pitch.
