The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is steeped in culture and history. The majority of players and fans would prefer to play or watch cricket at Lord’s over their home ground. Seeing a test match at Lord’s is on every cricket fan’s bucket list.
The beauty of the over 200-year-old stadium never ceases to astound fans and players. The ground has a lot of rich traditions that a cricket fan can feast on, from delicious meals to geographical gradients. It has 7 stands that can hold up to 31,100 people.
So, what distinguishes it from the rest of the world’s stadiums? Let’s take a look at what makes Lord’s the “Home of Cricket.”
Here are some reasons why Lord’s is one of the most unique cricket venues and is called the “Home of Cricket.”
1. The Honours Board
Any cricketer’s dream is to have their name printed on the honours board of any cricket stadium. It becomes even more special if he or she can have their name added to the Lord’s honours board.
Cricketers who score a century or take 5 or more wickets in an innings get their name etched on the honours board. Lord’s has three honours boards in total — one for home players, one for away players, and one for when Lord’s is used as a neutral venue.
Only a few cricketers have their names on both the batting and bowling honours boards. It should be noted that the honours board has passed over some big names, including Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and Curtly Ambrose.
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2. The Balcony
There are far too many images that come to mind when one thinks of the Lord’s balcony. When teammates and support staff shout out from the Lord’s balcony when their player reaches a milestone, it’s a sight to behold.
Only MCC members are permitted inside the balcony, and they must adhere to a strict dress code that includes an appropriate tie and pair of shoes for both male and female members and guests.
3. Scorecard for Sale
A fantastic memento to take with you is the scorecard from the match that you just watched at the ground where cricket was invented. The historic stadium starts selling printed scorecards around 10 minutes after the conclusion of the game.
Fans can buy as many copies as they desire for the price of one pound, which is the standard unit of currency. Fans have been following this practice for almost four decades, and they have learned to exercise patience while waiting in line to purchase their copies.
4. The Media Center
The Lord’s Media Centre is every cricket reporter’s ideal working environment. It is considered to be one of the most cutting-edge press boxes across the globe.
It is anticipated that the construction of the media centre cost approximately 5 million pounds. It also goes by the name “J.P. Morgan Media Centre,” however most people just call it “The Media Centre.”
It is also important to mention that the Saurashtra Cricket Association’s stadium in Rajkot possesses a similar-looking media centre.
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5. The Slope
When the Lord’s Cricket Ground hosts a test match, the word “slope” is probably the most frequently used by commentators. The stadium is slightly tilted on one side, which is significant.
The slope runs from the north to the south end of the ground. The depth difference is 2.5 meters.
The outfield is fast on one side of the ground because the ball runs down the slope and the bowlers get some natural movement off the turf. It will also account for any variable bounce that favours the bowler.
6. The Long Room
The players descend from the balcony to the ground via this long room. It has paintings of some of the greatest cricketers from different centuries and has been described as “the most evocative four walls in world cricket.”
Only MCC members and their guests are permitted to enter this room. Fans stand up and applaud the players as they walk down the long room to the field as a sign of respect.
7. The MCC Museum and Library
The MCC Museum is one of the world’s oldest sports museums. It houses an extensive collection of cricket memorabilia. It features everything a cricket fan could want, from the Ashes Urn to the cricket clothes worn by notable players.
It also has the Brian Johnston Memorial Theatre, which shows historical cricket videos. The MCC library houses a wide collection of cricket-related materials.
