The Lord’s Cricket Ground, popularly referred to as simply “the Lord’s”, has been one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world as it has witnessed some of the most action-packed and thrilling cricket rivalries.
Ever since its establishment in 1810, Lord’s has hosted a total of 150 test matches, 56 One-Day International (ODI) matches, and a total of 10 T20 International matches.
In addition to the fuming rivalries in the world of cricket, the Lord’s in London has also witnessed numerous international cricketers setting high-end records and achieving impressive milestones.
Often hailed as one of the most dynamic cricket grounds in the world, the Lord’s Cricket Ground boasts a rich history, unique traditions, and special additions, including the majestic pavilion, media center, honors board, the MCC museum, and much more.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of Lord’s Cricket Ground and its top five features.
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History of the Lord’s Cricket Ground
The Lord’s Cricket Ground was established around 210 years ago, in 1814, by Thomas Lord. Currently, the Lord’s Ground is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and is considered to be a home to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Additionally, the Lord’s Cricket Ground is also the home to the world’s oldest sports museum, the “MCC Museum”. An anecdote of the most crucial matches across all three major cricket formats that took place at the Lord’s Cricket Ground and adds up to the rich history of the ground is provided below:
| S.No | Match | Teams | Date |
| 1 | First Test | England vs Australia | 21–23 July 1884 |
| 2 | First ODI | England vs Australia | 26 August 1972 |
| 3 | First T20I | England vs Netherlands | 5 June 2009 |
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The Museum of Cricket at the Lord’s
The MCC Museum was established in 1953 as a cornerstone of the Lord’s Cricket Ground and is hailed as the world’s oldest sports museum. The MCC Museum holds numerous priceless souvenirs of the cricket world, including the miniature version of the coveted Ashes trophy, uniforms from legendary cricket matches, bats and balls from iconic matches, and a lot more.
With hundreds of classical chronicles from the world of cricket, the MCC Museum is considered to be a “heaven” for passionate cricket fans.
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The Majestic Pavilion at the Lord’s Cricket Ground
Inspired by the Victorian era, the majestic pavilion was constructed in 1890 and serves as a royal symbol that elevates the stature of the Lord’s Cricket Ground to an unparalleled extent. Originally designed by Thomas Verity, the majestic pavilion houses balconies, dressing rooms, and a long room.
One of the most highlighted visuals of the majestic pavilion’s balcony came during the 2002 India vs England Natwest Series final where the captain of the Indian cricket team, Saurav Ganguly, took off his shirt while commemorating India’s victory against the English cricket team at Lord’s.
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The Honours Board
To be on the Honours Board of the Lord’s Cricket Ground has been a dream for numerous cricketers in the world since its inception in 2010.
The Honours Board at Lord’s features names of legendary cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar, James Anderson, Sir Donald Bradman, and many more who have made significant contributions to the world of cricket and whose legacy and achievements will transcend the bounds of time and keep inspiring the young generation of cricketers to achieve great milestones in their cricketing career.
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The Media Center at the Lord’s Cricket Ground
The iconic media center of the Lord’s Cricket Ground was established in 1999 and serves as one of the most beautiful and famous features of the cricket ground, to date. Originally designed by the Future Systems Architectural Firm, the media center is suspended in the skyline and offers the most accurate and clear view of the pitch.
With a capacity to easily accommodate a total of 100 commentators and journalists, the media center at the Lord’s cricket ground is often hailed as one of the most prestigious additions to the iconic stadium and truly solidifies its stature as the “home of cricket”.
