MCC seeks safeguard against civil action

In the wake of the London bombings, concerns have emerged among Marylebone Cricket Club members that they risk being sued in the event of a significant terrorist attack on Lord's.

According to a report in The Times, both MCC and the England & Wales Cricket Board, whose headquarters are also in the ground, are insured for £30 million each, but this sum could prove insufficient to safeguard members against civil action, if negligence were to be proven against MCC.

Tim O'Gorman, a former Derbyshire batsman and lawyer, has set up a working group to investigate a change in MCC's status to safeguard it from such a situation.

On Sunday, the NatWest Challenge match between England and Australia passed without incident, although security levels were significantly tighter, with sniffer dogs employed in the stands and extensive bag-searches at the turnstiles.