The MCC has ruled out buying or investing in Middlesex as their ­tenants at Lord’s begin another ­season in a state of crisis. Cornish has taken leave of absence from Middle­sex pending the outcome of an investigation by the Cricket ­Regulator into allegations of misconduct, which he denies. MCC is also 51% owner of the London Spirit Hundred franchise, along with the so-called Tech Titans consortium that paid £145m for their 49% share. Breaching the CPA would lead to a loss of ECB funding, which accounts for 60% of Middlesex’s income, so is a non-starter. Middlesex start the season against Gloucestershire on Friday in Division Two of the County Championship, for the third successive year, the eighth out of the past nine years they have spent in the second tier.

Source: The Guardian April 01, 2026 18:19 UTC