THE MELBOURNE Cricket Club has named former Melbourne player Steven Smith as its new president.

The experienced lawyer will replace former Test cricketer Paul Sheahan when his term expires in April, and will be the 27th elected president.

Smith played 203 games for the Demons between 1974 and 1985 as a key defender and won the best and fairest award in 1981 before becoming a club director from 1990-92.

He joined the MCC as a member in 1981 and then the committee in 1998, and was vice-president for the past four years.

He is also chairman of the club sub-committee and a director of the MCC Foundation and National Sports Museum Ltd, and heads the sub-committee formed to deal with the expanding waiting list for membership.

Away from the club, Smith is a partner at law firm HWL Ebsworth and has more than 30 years' experience acting for a range of property and commercial clients.

"I'm extremely proud and excited to be the next president of our great club," Steven told the MCC's website.

"On behalf of our members and the committee, I pay tribute to Paul Sheahan, not only for the outstanding contribution he has made as president over the past four years, but also during his 22 years of service as a committeeman of the club."

Smith has been involved in the MCC during the time of the rebuild of the members' reserve, the growth of the membership base, the establishment of the National Sports Museum and the upcoming technology upgrade.

He also played a significant role in establishment of the Australia Post Avenue of Legends in Yarra Park.