The World Test Championship Final 2025 match between South Africa and Australia is being hosted at the historic Lord’s Ground in London, a ground widely referred to as the ‘Mecca of Cricket’. With unparalleled history and prestige.
Who Constructed the Lord’s Cricket Ground?
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The ground takes its name from Thomas Lord, the person who initially established it. A professional cricketer who became a businessman, Thomas Lord, founded three cricket grounds in London between 1787 and 1814, with the present Lord’s being the third and last iteration.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the current cricket field owners and managers, played a great role in Lord’s growth and becoming famous as it is today. MCC now serves as the custodian of the laws and ethos of the game, further enhancing the Lord’s reputation as the spiritual home of cricket.
The Evolution of Lord’s: From Old Ground to Cricket’s Home
1️ Lord’s Old Ground (1787):
The first ground was situated at the present-day Dorset Square. MCC called it home but had to leave because of property concerns.
2️ Lord’s Middle Ground (1811-1813):
Thomas Lord relocated the grounds to a new site, which was shortly abandoned because the Regent’s Canal was built across the outfield.
3️ Present Lord’s Ground (1814-Present):
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The current Lord’s is located at St John’s Wood, Westminster, around 250 yards northwest of the Middle Ground location. It formally became MCC’s headquarters in 1814 and is the venue we are familiar with today.
Lord’s Capacity and Modern Redevelopment
Lord’s currently holds 31,100 fans and is regarded as one of the modern stadiums in the game of cricket. Between 2017 and 2022, during MCC’s huge stadium redevelopment, the capacity was drastically increased, while retaining the old ground’s vintage appeal with extensive modern facilities.
Lord’s History: First International Match in 1884
The very first international match at Lord’s was a Test between Australia and England, which was played from 21 to 23 July 1884. The match ended with a comprehensive England win by an innings and 5 runs. Major highlights of that match:
- Australia posted 229 runs in the first innings
- England replied with 379 runs
- Australia was bowled out for only 145 runs in their second innings
Why Is Lord’s Referred to as the ‘Mecca of Cricket’?
The term “Mecca of Cricket” is not merely symbolic. It represents the history of no other ground, the history of the incredible games it has seen, and the history of the cricketing heroes who have stepped onto its turf. The history of one-day milestones, Test cricket milestones, and World Cup finals, Lord’s is the same history as the history of cricket.
Lord’s History Is the Soul of Cricket
From modest origins by Thomas Lord in the 18th century to being the world’s greatest cricket ground, Lord’s has endured. Its storied past, traditions deeply ingrained, and as a ground of dreams, it remains the pulsating heart of world cricket.
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