ICC chief executive Dave Richardson will deliver the 2018 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture.

Since its inception in 2001 the address has become a notable event in cricket’s calendar and Richardson’s opportunity comes at a time when the spirit of the game dominates discussion in the wake of the ball-tampering affair.

The speech, which will take place at Lord’s on August 6, will be followed by a Q&A session hosted by Mark Nicholas.

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Richardson became ICC chief executive in 2012 after 10 years as general manager.

MCC president Lord MacLaurin said: “I am delighted that David has accepted the invitation to deliver this year’s MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture. Since its inception in 2001, the event has become one of the key dates in the calendar at Lord’s and to have David, who holds such a central role in the game, making the address this year is entirely appropriate as we consider recent cricket events and look ahead to next year’s World Cup.”

Richardson said: “It is an honour to be asked to deliver the Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture and I would like to thank MCC for the opportunity. To follow in the footsteps of my fellow South Africans Barry Richards and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as other greats of the game like Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan is both a privilege and a responsibility.

“The invitation is a timely one given the current debate about the spirit of the game and, I hope I can do the memory of Colin Cowdrey proud in provoking the conversation around how we protect that spirit that is so unique to our sport long into the future.”