IT’S NOT every day you get to hear the names The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu and Andrew Flintoff in the same sentence.

However, the anti-apartheid activist and the former England all-rounder could now be found sitting side by side in the members section at Lord’s after being made honorary Life Members of the MCC.

Tutu was awarded the Nobel peace Prize in 1984 for his non-violent protests against Apartheid and became the first black South African Archbishop of Cape Town two years later.

A huge cricket enthusiast he was the first man outside the circle of international cricket invited to give the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture in 2008.

MCC’ Committee President Christopher Martin-Jenkins called Tutu; An inspiring public figure with a bubbly charm, he has been a leader of South Africa's post - apartheid drive to prefer peace and reconciliation to the dreadful alternatives that might have followed under a president less forgiving than Nelson Mandela.

Last year on his retirement (aged 79!) he said that he hoped now to watch more cricket. He may now do so at Lord's whenever he pleases, and he will always be welcomed."

Flintoff’s honour will come as little surprise, Lords having been the scene of his greatest bowling triumph en route to Ashes victory in 2009.

His heroics inspired the first win over Australia at the home of cricket for 75 years.

The Lancastrian joins greats of the game like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sunil Gavaskar and Sir Ian Botham in receiving the honour.

Martin-Jenkins added: "The MCC Committee was unanimous in deciding to offer Honorary Life Membership to Andrew in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the game.

"Throughout his career he has demonstrated that you can play hard but fair - the two central tenets of the MCC Spirit of Cricket message - and we are thrilled that he has accepted the invitation."

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