LONDON: Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara will become the first active international cricketer to deliver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's on July 4, it was announced Tuesday. Top-order batsman Sangakkara, also the first Sri Lankan invited to speak in the 11-year history of the event, is due to give his address the day after he is set to play against England in a One-Day International at Lord's. The 33-year-old Sangakkara will become the youngest speaker to give the lecture, following 2009 lecturer Adam Gilchrist, and follows the likes of Geoffrey Boycott, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Imran Khan. MCC President Christopher Martin-Jenkins said: “Sri Lanka has been so consistently successful in world cricket that it is very appropriate that a distinguished cricketer from this beautiful country should be giving the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture.“Kumar Sangakkara is widely respected in cricket not only as a brilliant player but as a highly intelligent one. His views on topical matters will be truly illuminating and many people will be looking forward to hearing what he has to say.” The lecture was inaugurated in 2001 in memory of former England captain Colin Cowdrey. MCC – Marylebone Cricket Club – owns Lord's, the self-styled ‘home of cricket' in north-west London. Lanka wins tour opener Sri Lanka enjoyed a successful warm-up ahead of its Test series against England with a four-wicket win over Middlesex on the third and final day of its tour opener at Uxbridge Monday. Several batsmen spent time in the middle, Thilan Samaraweera leading the way with 49, as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 213 with five overs to spare. Middlesex were dismissed for 161 with seam bowler Chanaka Welegedara (three for 39) and spinner Ajantha Mendis (three for 28) doing the bulk of the damage.
