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Marylebone Cricket Club is facing a backlash from members after hosting a Syrian art exhibition at Lord's, with critics accusing the club of straying from cricket into politics.

The display, which features paintings by Syrian and Palestinian refugee students alongside works by established artists, was unveiled during the opening match of the season between Middlesex and Gloucestershire over the Easter weekend. While intended to highlight charitable work, it has instead sparked frustration among members who believe the club is losing sight of its core purpose.

Discontent became visible when a letter from Michael Henderson, a long-standing member and former cricket correspondent, was pinned to the Pavilion noticeboard. In it, he took aim at both the artwork and the message behind it.

He wrote: "Members may have noted the daubs upstairs and the club's endorsement of 'creativity' and 'solidarity'. Solidarity with whom? The human race, perhaps. We can all agree on that. But this 'exhibition' is nudging us towards another view; a partial one. This is meant to be a cricket club."

His comments reflect a broader unease among traditionalists who feel the exhibition risks compromising the club's long-held stance of neutrality. Some members have privately questioned whether Lord's is the appropriate setting for what they see as politically charged material, reported the Mail.

One member described the exhibition as "an attempt to project a progressive image of the club". Another dismissed it more bluntly as "woke". The club itself has declined to comment publicly on the criticism.

The exhibition is linked to the MCC Foundation's Alsama Project, a programme launched in 2021 to support young Syrian refugees living in Lebanon.

The initiative funds cricket hubs in areas such as the Bekaa Valley and Shatila refugee camp, where children are able to play regularly throughout the year. The artwork is intended to showcase the voices and experiences of those involved.

The MCC Foundation operates as the club's charitable arm, with projects both in the UK and overseas. The exhibition, which opened last month, is due to run until the end of April.

Despite the backlash, the Pavilion has long housed a wide range of artwork, including portraits of cricketing greats and historical scenes. However, critics argue that this latest addition marks a departure from tradition.

Attention has also turned to the club's leadership and cultural direction. Emma John, chair of heritage and collections, has previously spoken about wanting to influence the MCC from within after becoming a member in 2018. Her role includes overseeing how the club presents its history and identity, both of which some members now feel are being reshaped.

Tensions between the MCC hierarchy and its membership are not new. In recent years, disputes have arisen over proposed changes to longstanding fixtures and traditions. A controversial hot mic incident involving a former chairman at an AGM further strained relations, while past remarks from a former president criticising the club's culture added to internal divisions.

Although relations had appeared to stabilise, the row over the exhibition suggests underlying disagreements remain unresolved. For some members, the issue goes beyond a temporary display and speaks to a wider concern about the club's direction.

Express.co.uk has contacted Lord's for comment.