CRICKET: Porter set to be Minor Counties president

The 58-year-old (above right) is understood to be the sole nominee for the post, which is expected to be confirmed at the MCCA annual meeting at Lord’s on Wednesday, December 3.

Porter, who is now chairman of the OCB cricket committee, admitted to be taken aback when he was informed that he was being put forward for the role, which carries a three-year term.

“It was a complete surprise to be honest,” he said.

“I have hardly been an establishment figure all my life and the Minor Counties tend to be fairly conservative.

“I am pleased obviously and it ought to be good for Oxford-shire.”

Porter, who represented the Minor Counties on a six-week tour of East Africa during a playing career for Oxford-shire which stretched from the early 1970s to the late 80s, hopes to have some input on the scene.

“I would like to be a wee bit involved,” he added.

“There is no point just being a figurehead. A president is like being a good child in that you are seen and not heard.

“I see myself as a sort of non-executive director of a company with no authority, but I will be able to use a bit of nous from time to time.

“I would hope to show my face in the Eastern Division – clearly I am reasonably well connected in the Western Division – and go to the top games and representative matches as well. I think that is what the president’s role is all about.

“It is a pretty low key thing to be honest – it sounds awfully grand, but it isn’t.”

Before becoming Oxon chairman – a post he held for 11 years, Porter had been county treasurer for ten years.

He is also the Oxfordshire University CC chairman.

County secretary Peter O’Neill welcomed the news that Porter is in line to be MCCA president.

“It is obviously a great reward for Simon’s work in Oxfordshire and cricket generally,” he said.

“He is going to be a figurehead of Minor Counties cricket for the next three years. It is well deserved and I am sure he will do an excellent job.”