That was then (top), this is now

LONDON (CNN) -- Britain's most prestigious cricket club and arbiter of the game, the Marylbone Cricket Club, decided on Tuesday to break with a more than 200-year- old tradition and voted in favor of allowing women to become members.

The club was founded in 1787 and is still the arbiter and custodian of laws relating to cricket around the world.

Following a special general meeting at Lord's -- the MCC's home and often described as cricket's most hallowed ground -- club president Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie said "it's a great thing for the game and for cricket."

"There will be a better atmosphere in the club. I'm delighted we have been able to achieve this."

The MCC was now expected to name its first 10 female honorary members early next year. They will get a chance to meet such celebrity co-members as Mick Jagger, former prime minister John Major and Prince Philipp.

Seventy percent of the 13,466 members who took part in the vote decided in favor of admitting women.

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Correspondent Margaret Lowrie has more on the decision to propel the MCC into modern times.
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