Mad Marlar Is Wrong, Selection Should Be On Merit Alone

I really have to congratulate Robin Marlar the 74 year old Harrovian who has just been appointed as the new president of the MCC. Days into his one-year tenure he has already given tired hacks the excuse to call the MCC the Male Chauvinists' Club (it wasn't funny the first time guys) by stating that girls should not be allowed to play against boys at the 17 and 18 year old level. He is quoted in the Times as saying: "My attitude is not blimpish - it is called chivalry. The male of the species is taught not to knock the female about. A young man is letting go a potentially lethal missile at a young lady." (Note the use of "man" and "lady"; if he really believed in equality he'd have said either "gentleman" and "lady" or "man" and "woman".)

He may as well have said "Gad sir, they'll be playing football next." The fact is that the players in any team should be selected on merit. If a girl is better than any other available player, boy or girl, then she should be selected. End of argument.

Why on earth did Marlar choose to embroil himself in this row? This man discredits cricket in this country and a person of his views and his lack of PR skills should never have been made president of the MCC. For the sake of cricket let's hope he keeps his mouth shut for the next year.